CHP releases video footage of Ventura crash that killed Ojai man

A Ventura man sought in connection with a fatal hit-and-run last month hastily moved out of his residence a day after the crash, relied on friends and family members for assistance and has the money to sustain himself, authorities said.

The fresh details were shared by California Highway Patrol officials Tuesday morning about the July 6 crash and subsequent search for Patrick John McVicker, 48, who is the alleged driver in the hit-and-run crash that killed popular Ojai educator John Slade. 

"We are confident that (McVicker) has been receiving assistance in evading and avoiding apprehension from his family and friends," Capt. Terry Roberts, Ventura-area commander for CHP, said at a news conference where officials displayed video of the crash along with photos of the wreckage.

"We found out that he does have a substantial amount of money in a bank account," Roberts said. "He can probably sustain himself for quite a while."

However, investigators are unable to seize the account, he said.

"The federal government can do that," Roberts said. "Unfortunately, we don't have the power to do that."

McVicker, who holds a real estate appraiser's license, allegedly moved out of his residence the day after the incident and told friends that he had been "beat up," not involved in a crash, Roberts said.

"There is no question there are people who know where he is," Roberts added. "We need one of those people to contact us and provide us with information."

McVicker faces two felony charges: gross vehicular manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury, said Miles Weiss, a chief deputy district attorney for Ventura County.

Attached to the manslaughter charge, Weiss said, is a special allegation of fleeing the scene of a crime and an enhancement for inflicting great bodily injury.

McVicker could serve a maximum of 11 years and eight months in prison.

"If family or friends may be helping Mr. McVicker, they could be exposing themselves to felony charges with a maximum custody sanction of three years," Weiss said

According to CHP, McVicker had attended a concert at The Collection shopping center in Oxnard on the night of the crash before allegedly heading for a Ventura bar.

McVicker was speeding on northbound Highway 101 when his vehicle collided with the rear of Slade's, causing it to spin and strike a guardrail on the right side of the roadway before rolling across all lines into the median, authorities said.

McVicker's vehicle swerved right and crashed through a guardrail and traveled off the roadway before coming to rest on its side in a ditch, authorities said. 

McVicker allegedly fled the scene on foot, leaving a passenger in his vehicle, authorities said.

"Mr. McVicker never assisted or even checked on his passenger, nor did he assist or check on Mr. Slade," Roberts said.

Officials said Tuesday that the passenger suffered minor injuries and had met McVicker that night.

Slade suffered major injuries and was taken to Ventura County Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead July 7.

Authorities said McVicker was a suspect in the early stages of the investigation and they had hoped to detain him before releasing his name.

As of Tuesday afternoon, however, McVicker remained at large with CHP seeking the public's help locating him.

Authorities described McVicker as 6 feet tall, weighing 225 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes.

Authorities urged anyone with information on the incident to call 662-2661. Information may also be provided to Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS or online at venturacountycrimestoppers.org. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information leading to McVickers' arrest.