Phalen Charged With Vehicular Manslaughter

By Bill Johnson Published Feb 11, 2009 05:15 pm Updated Mar 7, 2009 11:37 pm

Sonora, CA — 64-year-old Gary Lee Phalen of Jamestown has been charged with vehicular manslaughter after striking and killing 66-year-old Virginia Plummer with his vehicle in downtown Jamestown Monday.

The Highway Patrol found Phalen to be intoxicated at the time of the accident. Plummer was pronounced dead after being medi-flighted to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto.

The District Attorney’s Office has also filed a charge of resisting, delaying and obstructing a peace officer. The charges were brought forth this afternoon.

Phalen’s bail has been set at $100,000. His preliminary hearing has been scheduled for 1:15pm, Wednesday, February 25 in Department Four of Superior Court before Judge Eleanor Provost. Laura Leslie from the District Attorney’s office will serve as the prosecuting attorney.

Written by bjhansen@mlode.com