PETALUMA ARGUS-COURIER • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2018 A7

Crash Continued from A1 who started the page hope to raise

$25,000 to help cover costs.
In the days following the acci-
Candidates Continued from A6 national Democratic Party. De Leon, who
helped hire a former U.S. attorney general to
aid the state Legislature in resisting Trump
17-year-old Casa Grande student dent, James Hopkins has been igosa and current state Senate President Kevin initiatives, plainly has a national perspective
whose name is being withheld struggling to come to terms with de Leon, all Democrats. It goes almost without and makes it obvious he would love to lead the
because of his age, was arrested the life-changing event for his saying that Newsom, a former San Francisco Democratic opposition to Trump.
for charges relating to street racing child, who he described as intelli- mayor who tried to run for governor in 2010 But de Leon, from eastern Los Angeles, is
causing injury and violating a gent and bookish. before settling for his current job, will seek the hampered in his current campaign both by
provisional license. He was not “He’s a very happy and mellow presidency at some point if elected governor. the fact that he remains largely unknown
injured and was no longer in cus- kid,” he said of his son. “He’s prob- His election emails for much of the last year to many Californians and by his denial that
tody Tuesday, Lyons said. He has ably one of the sweetest souls I’ve have been replete with responses to national he knew of the sexual harassment alleged-
already been cited twice for traffic ever known … He’s very cerebral, issues, from the Republican tax bill passed in ly conducted regularly by his Sacramento
violations, including an April 2017 he likes to read, he likes history December to environmental complaints raised housemate, state Sen. Tony Mendoza, in their
citation for speeding and violating and video games.” by Trump administration actions. So Newsom abode. To many, his denials of knowledge and
his provisional license, Lyons said. James Hopkins hasn’t spoken to could bring a national perspective to Sacra- seeking to lead the drive for more effective
The suspected street racing teen the driver who crashed, interrupt- mento. And he’s never been shy about acting prevention of such conduct in the Legislature
knows the identity of the driver ing his son’s young life. He’s too on his ambitions and ideas. suggest he may have taken a see no evil, hear
of the Subaru WRX, but is not angry, he said. If both of them should win this year — nei- no evil approach to Mendoza.
currently cooperating with police, “These kids were racing at 3:30 in ther is an early favorite — either Villariagosa Just now, none of these folks draws much
Lyons said. the afternoon in an area that’s by or Senate candidate de Leon could seek to national attention. But, as Reagan did, anyone
The Christopher Hopkins’ three different schools, right after become the first legitimate Latino presidential elected either governor or senator here can
86-year-old grandfather, who was school let out,” he said. “It’s a busy contender. use California’s sheer size and its huge repre-
driving at the time of the crash, is area with bus stops and crosswalks, Villaraigosa has not seriously discussed a sentation among national political convention
still in the hospital, Lyons said. His and it’s just absolutely ridiculous presidential run, but would have an immedi- delegates to fuel a credible run for the White
71-year-old grandmother was treat- that kids would race there.” ate large-scale base among the Latinos who House.
ed for minor injuries and released. Still, Lyons said residents have are one of the largest constituencies in the (Email Thomas Elias at tdelias@aol.com.)
Three teenage girls, also students complained that Sonoma Mountain
at Casa Grande, were in the BMW Parkway, a long, flat road is a haven
at the time of the accident and were for speeding vehicles. Police plan
brought to Petaluma Valley Hospi-
tal for minor injuries, Lyons said.
to deploy speed monitors and extra
patrols on the roadway, which has a
Christopher Hopkins’ pelvis and 40 mph speed limit.
Letters Continued from A6
ribs were broken, his spleen was Since last Jan. 22 people were ar- were willing to do so, most of the vehicle emis-families, especially those who lost homes,
cut and his internal organs are rested on suspicion of exhibition of sions come from the commercial sector. changed schools, or saw loved ones drastical-
bruised and bleeding, his father speed and speeding contests, Lyons So it becomes apparent that a whole food, ly impacted. Research shows that stress can
said. He was transferred from San- said. They were all men between plant-based diet has by far the most potential. have significantly negative consequences on
ta Rosa to the Oakland’s Children’s the ages of 16 and 25, he said. This is where the power lies when it comes the body. The good news is that exercise can
Hospital, where he’s undergone “You can see that (street racing) to creating a model that works. Yes, an effort relieve stress, releasing positive chemicals in
multiple surgeries and is now in leads to injuries,” he said. “Not has to be made. It involves some self sacrific- the brain and improving overall health.
stable condition. only to themselves, but also the ing and compromise, but it’s not about loss There are many ways for families to be
“He’s being very stoic about it, passengers and sometimes other of freedoms, it’s about protecting our ability active together, even in the winter months. A
he’s not complaining much – the innocent people. We hope that par- to make our own choices that will guarantee few ideas are to try indoor sports, like soccer
only real thing is that he’s irritated ents really think about giving their and protect the living conditions and personal or gymnastics; go roller or ice skating; go
with the constant attention and the young adults fast performance choices of those who will come after us. bowling; and dance to music. On clear days,
poking and prodding,” said James cars.” This, in itself is a personal freedom. With take advantage of low-cost and free physical
Hopkins, a single father who has Questions to Casa Grande’s this selfless act, we realize our strengths, activity areas such as parks, hiking and biking
been by his son’s side daily since administration were directed to and our ability to create our own future. In trails, and tennis and basketball courts. Small
the crash. “He’s not really the Dave Rose, Petaluma City School’s doing so, we take our place amongst the true things like taking the stairs and walking
complainer type, though. He’s just assistant superintendent of student visionaries. whenever possible really add up—it’s a just
going along with it and he’s pretty services. Though he was unable a matter of setting manageable routines and
drugged out at this point.” to discuss specifics about students Ray Cooper sticking to them. Physical activity is particu-
He will likely remain in the due to confidentiality issues, he Petaluma larly important for the bodies and minds of
hospital for weeks and will be faced said the incident should serve as a growing children—and the habits they learn
with rigorous physical therapy
once he’s released. Doctors aren’t
“constant reminder to youth about
making positive choices.” Moving on from fires now will shape the rest of their lives.
While challenging days lie ahead in an era
sure if he will walk again, but they “We have counselors, adminis- EDITOR: With the devastating North Bay of post-fire recovery, I want to emphasize the
remain “very positive,” his father trators and teachers on standby wildfires three months behind us, maintain- importance of focusing on our community’s
said. looking for any indicators of severe ing an active lifestyle is more important now collective mental and physical health. I hope
A GoFundMe page has been cre- reactions from students,” he said. than ever. The fires took an unprecedented that you will join me in this endeavor.
ated to support the Hopkins family, “We’re just trying to do rumor con- toll on our community, causing widespread
an effort that garnered nearly trol and reinforce positive messag- trauma, stress, and anxiety. Post-fire stress is Steven D. Herrington
$14,000 in donations in its first two ing about decision making … In the affecting many of our county’s children and Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools
days. James Hopkins, a Petaluma moment, they don’t always apply
native, is divorced and has been lessons and the things they know.
raising Christopher as a single Emotions get the best of them and
parent for more than 12 years. they make poor decision. Some- Get the latest Petaluma
The medical bills are piling up times, no one gets hurt, but in this
and the family will need modifica- case, that’s not what happened.” news updates online at
tions to their home to accommo- (Contact Hannah Beausang at
date a wheelchair once Hopkins is hannah.beausang@arguscourier. petaluma360.com
released. Friends of James Hopkins com.)

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