FLAGSTAFF — A teacher arrested in December after a fatal hit and run accident has been cleared of criminal responsibility, Coconino County prosecutors said.
Mark H. Sorensen, 56, now hopes to resume his teaching career with the Flagstaff Unified School District.
There was not enough evidence of wrongdoing to proceed against Sorenson in the death of 31-year-old Tony Clah, said David Rozema, the county's chief deputy attorney.
Clah died Dec. 20 after being run over and dragged by a dark-colored minivan.
Sorenson retired after being arrested and let his teaching certificate lapse, but now hopes to rehired by the district and return to his job as a gym teacher.
Witnesses told deputies the driver stopped briefly and then continued driving, according to Coconino County sheriff's reports.
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Deputies searched the neighborhood the next day and found a minivan belonging to Sorensen that was determined to have been involved in the accident. Sorensen was arrested on charges of manslaughter and DUI-drugs. He was released from jail a week later after the county attorney required more investigation be conducted.
Sorenson's attorney, Bruce Griffen, said it was dark at the time of the accident and his client stopped when he heard a noise and checked to see if he had hit anything.
Rozema said Sorensen's statement was corroborated by an independent witness and the van had no visble body damage. Sorenson tested negatives for drugs and alcohol.
Clah had a blood-alcohol level of 0.185, nearly twice the legal limit to drive, and was in the middle of Tovar Trail when he was hit, Rozema said.
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