DA: Woman intentionally killed Vacaville police officer in car crash

SOLANO COUNTY, Calif. – The woman accused of hitting and killing a Vacaville police officer during a traffic stop made her first court appearance Monday afternoon.

The Solano County District Attorney’s Office filed a criminal complaint alleging that suspect Serena CJ Rodriguez committed murder.

“The criminal complaint further alleges the special circumstance that Mathew Bowen, an officer of the Vacaville Police Department, was intentionally killed while performing his duties,” said Solano County District Attorney Krishna Abrams.

During a press conference following the indictment, Abrams did not elaborate on why her office believes he was intentionally killed.

Dozens of Vacaville police officers gathered outside Solano County Superior Court for the arraignment, filling the courtroom. Officer Bowen’s parents were also present for the arraignment.

The police officers hugged each other as they left Solano County Superior Court.

“This is a very, very difficult day for Solano County,” Abrams said. “On behalf of the Solano County District Attorney’s Office, I want to extend our condolences to Officer Matthew Bowen’s wife, his two young children, his parents, his family at the Vacaville Police Department, and all of our partners in law enforcement.”

The suspect is accused of striking and killing Officer Bowen during a traffic stop on Leisure Town Road last week.

The court hearing lasted only three minutes and few words were exchanged between the judge and the defendant, 24-year-old Serena CJ Rodriguez. Rodriguez was assigned a public defender.

In court, the public defender asked the judge whether the death penalty was being sought in this case. The prosecutor did not want to comment on this at this time.

At the time of the accident, Rodriguez was on probation in Placer County. According to the Placer County District Attorney’s Office, she failed to appear for a court hearing in March and a warrant was issued for her arrest.

The police officers hugged each other as they left Solano County Superior Court.

ABC10 also received new details about the crash.

The California Highway Patrol said a total of five vehicles were involved in the crash, including the suspect’s vehicle and Officer Bowen’s motorcycle. One person was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The CHP said the suspect was not injured in the crash.

Memorial service for Vacaville police officer Matthew Bowen, who died in the line of duty