Aptos hit & run suspect won’t be tried as adult

On Wednesday, California Highway Patrol said the 17-year-old suspect accused of hitting and severely injuring an Aptos woman with his car earlier this month, will not be tried as an adult. Trevor Maddy was arrested Tuesday night after more than a week of searching.

We spoke with victim Nicole Brown’s family and friends who said they owe a huge debt of gratitude to the community for the out pouring of tips investigators got about the night she was hit.

Officers said those tips ultimately led to Maddy’s arrest, marking another chapter in the case and Brown’s recovery.

One of Brown’s closest friends, Carrie Clark, said it was complete relief when she got the news that Maddy was finally in custody.

“Its so great to finally have closure on that so we can focus on what’s important which is Nicole’s recovery,” Clark said.

Officers on the case said the investigation is far from over in their minds even though they found Maddy.

“Right now the case has been handed to the District Attorney’s Office we have delivered him to Santa Cruz County Juvenile Probation where he is at now,” Officer Sam Courtney said.

News Channel 5 has learned that the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office will not try Maddy as an adult because there are very specific guidelines and criteria to follow in deciding to take a case out of Juvenile Court. Clark said she will leave charges up to the professionals.

“You never know what trials and tribulations they have in their own life. So it’s hard to understand where he may be coming from in the situation. But all we can do is try to be empathetic and compassionate to everybody involved,” Clark said.

Meanwhile, she and others will focus on Brown’s recovery. So far she’s had three surgeries in just 10 days.

“As of today she was able to sit up and the doctors also allowing her to have solid foods…as soon as I walked in the room she knew exactly who was there and she said hi to me and had a big smile on her face and that was just one of the most wonderful experiences I’ve ever had in my life,” Clark said.

They’re all taking one day at a time as pieces of the puzzle from that night start to fall into place.

CHP is recommending a felony hit-and-run charge to the District Attorney. The injuries sustained by Brown make it a felony, otherwise it would be a misdemeanor. The DA’s office said this charge does not fall under the guidelines of being able to try a minor as an adult.