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Law Student Charged With Felony Hit-and-Run

By Betty Wang, JD on October 10, 2013 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

A Hastings law student is now facing two felony charges after an alleged hit-and-run occurred over the weekend in Oakland. Meghan Anne Zato, according to the police, struck an innocent man after fleeing an attack from a group of vandals, reports the Contra Costa Times.

The 25-year-old man from Oakland, James Roda, who was struck was apparently not a part of the initial attack. What happened, exactly?

A Stand Against Vandalism

Zato had left a bar accompanied by a man late on Saturday night around 12:45 a.m. when she approached a group of vandals tagging a library wall near her car. A confrontation erupted when the man she was walking with scolded them for defacing the wall. According to the police, someone in that group punched Zato at least a couple times in the face while her cellphone was taken from her, as well, reports the Contra Costa Times.

After Zato got into her car, the group rocked and tagged her car as she attempted to drive off. She then drove onto the wrong side of the side, at the group, when Roda was struck. Witnesses then boxed Zato and her car in to prevent her from driving away, though she attempted to.

Possible (Read: Likely) Moral Character Issues

Roda's head cracked the car windshield and he is now looking at a long recovery, after having gone through a surgery for brain swelling and other severe head injuries.

Zato has been charged already on Monday with assault with a deadly weapon causing bodily injury and for leaving the scene of an accident. After blood tests are revealed, a DUI charge may be possible, as well.

As far as Zato's future as a practicing attorney goes, it's safe to say that once the State Bar's moral character committee catches wind of this, it may be far more difficult and longer road than she'd initially anticipated.

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