Man charged in deadly hit-run waives arraignment

Jason Douglas (Rochester Police photo)

ROCHESTER - The New Durham man charged in a fatal hit-and-run in May waived his arraignment today in Rochester District Court and will face a probable cause hearing next month, the last step before possible indictment by a grand jury.

Jason Douglas, of 28 Miller Road, pleaded not guilty to conduct after an accident in connection with the death of Rochester bicyclist Jeffrey Howarth, 51.

Douglas was arrested on the charge on July 9, more than two months after the accident and several weeks after Rochester Police had indicated that they knew the identity of the suspect.

The lengthy investigation by Rochester Police and the Strafford County Technical Accident Reconstruction Team included numerous interviews, analysis of surveillance video footage, DNA and toxicology tests and accident reconstruction and analysis.

Jeffrey Howarth

Douglas faces up to a seven-year prison term if convicted.

Howarth was riding his bicycle around 12:30 a.m. on May 7 on Route 11 at the Exit 15 southbound on-ramp to the Spaulding Turnpike when he was struck, police say.

The vehicle failed to stop, however, and it was determined that Howarth was struck by a vehicle that had been heading east on Route 11 and was entering the on-ramp. He was dead when responders arrived. Howarth's bike was found to have no lights or reflectors.

Police found the vehicle suspected in the crash later that day in the New York Street area of Dover, N.H., prompting the impounding of the vehicle and the beginning the lengthy forensic investigation.

Douglas remains free on $25,000 personal recognizance bail.