- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Lakeport man sentenced to state prison for September 2015 hit and run
LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Lakeport man arrested last fall for a hit-and-run crash that seriously injured two cyclists has been sentenced to state prison.
David Allen Lent, 29, was sentenced on Tuesday to three years in state prison after pleading guilty to felony hit and run resulting in permanent, serious injury, according to Senior Deputy District Attorney John DeChaine.
Lent's defense attorney, Barry Melton, said he had no comment on the case.
Lakeport Police arrested Lent for the Sept. 29 hit-and-run crash that left Corey Bauman of Lakeport and Nick Thompson of Upper Lake seriously injured, as Lake County News has reported.
Police said Lent hit the men as they were riding their bikes in the area of Martin and Bevins streets and then fled the scene.
Bauman and Thompson were flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, beginning a lengthy recovery period that is still ongoing for them, according to their friend and fellow cyclist, Dave Garzoli.
David Lent was arrested the following morning at the home of his mother, Lynda Lent, who at that time also was arrested for being an accessory to a crime.
However, DeChaine said Lynda Lent was not prosecuted. “There was insufficient evidence to demonstrate that she was criminally complicit in the crime.”
DeChaine said David Lent – who has remained in custody since his September arrest – did not stand trial. Instead, he pleaded guilty to the felony hit and run charge.
“We insisted that he plead guilty to that serious hit and run charge as opposed to entering a no contest plea,” said DeChaine.
He said guilty pleas can be required in such cases, adding that the reasoning behind it was an attempt to provide some solace to Bauman, Thompson and their families, and to demonstrate that Lent is taking responsibility for his actions.
Lent had no prior criminal record, DeChaine said, which prevented him from receiving a more severe sentence. “His lack of criminal record was a mitigating factor.”
At the July 26 sentencing, “There was a strong turnout from the friends and family of the victims in this case,” said DeChaine. “Numerous individuals addressed the court and expressed their feelings about the crime.”
Garzoli said he was present for the sentencing, but he didn't speak. Bauman's family gave statements, he said, adding that while Thompson was present, he chose not to address the court.
DeChaine credited the Lakeport Police Department for its professional handling of the investigation, singling out Det. Dale Stoebe in particular for his work on the case.
“It's frustrating for all involved that the legislation doesn't provide for more meaningful penalties in cases like this,” said DeChaine.
He added that fleeing the scene where people are left bleeding and possibly dying “is a true act of cowardice.”
Garzoli said his friends are recovering, but the physical and emotional scars are enduring.
“As a cyclist, I think about their accident every time I ride and wonder when it's going to be me that gets hit by a texting, drunk or careless driver,” Garzoli said.
Thompson has almost recovered completely, although he hasn't returned to cycling. Garzoli said Thompson – a factory-sponsored paid BMX racer as a youngster – is “one of the most talented two-wheel guys I have ever known, on a bike or motorcycle. ”
Bauman continues to undergo rehab, but Garzoli said he has made “incredible” progress, especially considering that in the days and weeks after he was injured, friends and loved ones believed he might not survive.
The upside, said Garzoli, is illustrated in the photo above of Bauman, taken just a few days after the sentencing, when he was able to climb onto his stationary bike on his own for the first time.
Garzoli said he had been asking Bauman if he thought he could ride his spin bike and he had said yes. “I had told him a couple weeks ago, that my son Andy I would come over and help him on to it so he could see what it felt like again and he got pretty excited, so much so, he decided he wasn't going to wait for our help! ”
Garzoli also posted the picture on his Facebook page, telling all of Bauman's friends and acquaintances, “Let him be an inspiration to all of you! ”
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