SHLENSKY SUSPECT ARRESTED:

Heather Lea Hulsey, 20, was arrested last Thursday for the fatal
hit-and-run of Dr. Ronald Shlensky on July 27. The CHP made the
arrest acting on a phone tip from a friend of Hulsey’s boyfriend.
Hulsey is charged with vehicular manslaughter and felony
hit-and-run, allegedly having struck Shlensky as she was reaching
for her ringing cell phone. She has posted bail and must appear in
court for her arraignment in one month. Dr. Shlensky was active in
liberal Jewish circles and was a well-respected teacher, lawyer,
and forensic psychiatrist. A bill that has already passed the state
Senate and now awaits approval by the Assembly later this month
would ban the use of handheld cell phones while driving. According
to state Senator Tom McClintock, cell phones are no more dangerous
than other driving distractions, and such a law would be difficult
to enforce. Assemblymember Pedro Nava was unavailable for comment
after four weeks of repeated attempts by The Independent to learn
his position on the bill.