Prosecutor: Woman intentionally killed Vacaville Police Officer Matthew Bowen
Photo: Serena Rodriguez of Auburn makes her first court appearance after being charged in connection with the death of Vacaville Police Officer Matthew Bowen. (Photo by Matthew Keys for Solano NewsNet)
An Auburn woman arrested for a crash that fatally injured a Vacaville motorcycle officer is accused of killing him on purpose.
In a three-page charging document obtained by Solano NewsNet, the Solano County District Attorney’s Office says Serena Rodriguez, 24, “intentionally killed” Vacaville Police Officer Matthew Bowen with her vehicle while Bowen was conducting a traffic stop last Thursday.
(Photo by Matthew Keys for Solano NewsNet)
Rodriguez made her first court appearance early Monday afternoon. Around 300 uniformed law enforcement officers from the Vacaville Police Department, Solano County Sheriff’s Office and allied agencies were in attendance for the standing-room only hearing.
Rodriguez did not enter a plea during the court hearing, which lasted less than 10 minutes. She bristled at Solano County Judge Jeffrey Kaufmann when he asked her to clarify her name and date of birth, confirming both with a curt tone of voice before closing her eyes for the rest of the hearing.
A public defender representing Rodriguez said it was not clear if prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty. When asked by Kaufmann if prosecutors wanted to confirm that one way or another, they declined to do so.
The second part of her arraignment is tentatively scheduled for next Monday.
Photo: Solano County District Attorney Krishna Abrams addresses the news media on Monday, July 15, 2024. (Photo by Matthew Keys for Solano NewsNet)
Solano NewsNet was the first news outlet to report that Rodriguez was charged with murder, which requires premeditation and malicious intent. It isn’t clear what evidence prosecutors have to that effect.
(Photo courtesy Vacaville Police Department)
Eyewitnesses at the scene of the crash said Rodriguez attempted to flee the scene, but was detained by Good Samaritans nearby. She appeared to be under the influence at the time of the crash, at least one eyewitness told Solano NewsNet. Jail records show Rodriguez was booked on suspicion of murder, driving while under the influence and giving a false name to a peace officer.
At a press conference outside the Fairfield courthouse on Monday, Solano County District Attorney Krishna Abrams restated the murder charge against Rodriguez and expressed her condolences to Bowen’s family, who attended the hearing. She took no questions from reporters, and said further information would not be disclosed in order to protect the integrity of the case, which is still being investigated by the California Highway Patrol.