Sabato Charged After Fatal Anchorage Crash

Simmonds is dead, and the case that was filed is about leaving the scene, not a murder count. The video, the damage on the Tahoe, and what Sabato told police about an animal in the road are the facts a jury would have to sort out. Bail and an order not to drive do not decide any of that.

Jack Sabato, 32, is charged in Anchorage with leaving the scene of a crash without helping the injured, and with leaving the scene of a crash that caused injury or death. Police say he was driving a white Chevrolet Tahoe that struck Carl Simmonds, 42, near Airport Heights Drive and DeBarr Road about 5:35 a.m. Monday. Simmonds was pronounced dead at the scene. Neither count is a homicide charge.

Officers and medics were called about 5:48 a.m. Charging papers say video from the Blood Bank of Alaska shows the Tahoe hitting Simmonds and driving on without braking. Broken vehicle parts were on the ground. A relative had reported Simmonds missing and said he was last seen leaving Alaska Regional Hospital, across the street, around 5 a.m.

Police traced a matching SUV to Sabato's home, then found the Tahoe about 12:45 p.m. at an Amazon delivery station where he worked. The right front corner had fresh damage consistent with striking a pedestrian. Officers seized the Tahoe on a warrant.

About two hours later, at 2:46 p.m., Sabato called police. He told them he had been out late making DoorDash deliveries and was heading home when something appeared in the road and a headlight went out. He said he thought he had hit an animal, did not know he had hit a person, and did not stop to look because he had no insurance. He said he called because he knew the worst. In court Tuesday he said he works as an Amazon delivery driver.

He was arraigned Tuesday at the Anchorage jail. District Court Judge J. Patrick Hanley set bail at $5,000 cash, with another $5,000 if he misses court, and ordered him not to drive. He was still listed in custody at the Anchorage Correctional Complex on Wednesday morning. Sabato is the son of actress Virginia Madsen and actor Antonio Sabàto Jr. Simmonds's parents joined the hearing by phone and did not speak.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.