Prosecutor: Woman arrested in fatal accident in Vacaville

VACAVILLE – A woman behind bars for an accident that killed a Vacaville police officer An arrest warrant was issued against her in Placer County at the time of the accident on Thursday, prosecutors said.

Serena Rodriguez, 24, of Auburn was arrested Thursday after attempting to flee a crash that killed Vacaville police Officer Matthew Bowen, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Bowen, a 32-year-old motorcycle officer, was pulling over someone when he was struck from behind by Rodriquez’s vehicle, the CHP said. It happened at the intersection of Leisure Town Road and Orange Drive.

On Friday, the Placer County District Attorney’s Office confirmed to CBS Sacramento that Rodriguez was charged with intentionally flooding her residence in November 2022. She was arraigned in December of that year and faced additional charges while out on bail.

Prosecutors said she was arrested on Lincoln Way in Auburn on Dec. 11, 2022, during a standoff for yelling at her father and being a public nuisance. While in jail, prosecutors said she had a fixed blade knife hanging from her sweatshirt, leading to another felony charge.

In March 2023, she was convicted of the crimes and served one year in pre-trial detention and a further two years on probation.

After Rodriguez was released from prison, prosecutors said she had failed to comply with the program. The judge then ordered Rodriguez to remain in custody because she had failed to comply with the required supervision.

At a court hearing in December 2023, Rodriguez agreed to be remanded in custody for 120 days for her violation.

But the public prosecutor’s office stated that she stopped appearing at her court dates after that.

After she failed to appear in court on March 25, 2024, the judge issued a warrant for her arrest.

Rodriguez has a court date set for August 12 on a 2023 supervision violation, but the case related to Bowen’s death must be resolved first.

She was booked into the Solano County Jail on Thursday on charges of manslaughter, driving under the influence causing injury and/or death, and providing false identification to a police officer. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Monday at 1:30 p.m.

On Friday, a funeral procession moved through the streets of Vacaville. The streets were filled with emergency workers and people as the funeral procession passed through with the body of the fallen police officer.

Bowen was the first Vacaville police officer killed in the line of duty. He had been with the force since June 2023 after serving with the Concord Police Department.

The Vacaville Police Department has posted two links to two funds that directly support Bowen and his family. Anyone who would like to donate can do so by supporting the Vacaville Police Foundation and PORAC ​​Fund A Hero funds.