Fresno man involved in police chase that killed another driver enters plea in court
Roger Harris of Fresno pleaded not guilty Thursday to gross vehicular manslaughter and other charges after crashing into another vehicle as he tried to get away from police.
The 34-year-old Harris, who appeared in court in a wheelchair, is charged with 10 felonies, including driving under the influence, evading a police officer and carrying a loaded firearm.
Police pulled Harris over on April 23 in the area of North Clark Street and East Tyler Avenue after he failed to yield at a stop sign.
When officers walked over to Harris’s Ford Mustang, they saw a handgun next to him. Realizing police saw the weapon, he sped off, police said.
As police chased him, Harris drove into oncoming traffic and smashed into a car driven by 48-year-old Guy Shearer. The crash happened at about 3:30 p.m. at East Olive and North Rowell avenues.
Harris, who was injured in the crash, remains in jail and his bail is set at $408,500. Police said Harris is a convicted felon with a history of arrests for robbery and shooting. He faces a second strike if convicted on the current charges.
Defending Harris is Roger Nuttall and the prosecutor is Steven Ueltzen.
