Man Sentenced Over Five Years for Hit-And-Run Death Of Motorcyclist in Campo

A man who fatally struck a motorcyclist in Campo last Thanksgiving Day and fled the scene was sentenced Monday to five years and four months in state prison.

Gary Baker, 46, of Campo, pleaded guilty earlier this year to hit-and- run causing death and other charges in connection with the killing of 26-year- old Austin Spirz, who family members say was a father of three young daughters.

Spirz died at the scene of the 5:30 p.m. crash, which happened on Sheridan Road, near Custer Road.

The California Highway Patrol said a Jeep heading west drifted across the double yellow lines and crashed into the victim’s eastbound motorcycle.

Prosecutors say Baker’s girlfriend called the CHP the following morning to report that her boyfriend had gotten into a crash while driving her Jeep.

Baker claimed he had struck some large rocks while driving, but officers found pieces of Spirz’s motorcycle at Baker’s home, a prosecutor said at Baker’s arraignment last year.

–City News Service