Preliminary Hearing Date for City Staffer Charged in Fatal Hit-and-Run Is Continued

BY BILL KOENEKER

City of Malibu employee Robert S. Sanchez, the man accused in a fatal hit-and- run on Pacific Coast Highway, was in court last week when the hearing date to set a preliminary hearing date was continued to March 11, according to the district attorney’s office.
Sanchez, who is out on $100,000 bail, is charged with hitting two bicyclists, who were participating in an organized ride on PCH last July, killing Rodrigo “Rod” Armas, 45, and injuring his son Christian, 14, while driving under the influence.
Sanchez has pled not guilty to three counts, which include gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence, and failure to stop after an accident involving an injury.
According to law enforcement reports, Sanchez allegedly fled the scene of the accident and was subsequently found hiding, at which point, he was picked up and taken into custody.
Sanchez is a records clerk in the planning department of the City of Malibu.