El Granada Man Sentenced in Fatal Crash Involving Apple Engineer [La Honda, CA]

LA HONDA, CA (March 29, 2024) — After nearly eight years, Tom Shelton Doane, 54, from El Granada, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for the vehicular manslaughter of an Apple software engineer on a La Honda road. Doane’s no contest plea comes after a protracted legal battle, including a conviction reversal by a state appeals court.

The La Honda hit-and-run case, which occurred on March 27, 2016, resulted in the death of 46-year-old Francois Jouaux from Woodside. Prosecutors detailed that Jouaux was struck head-on by Doane’s Ford F-250, leading to fatal injuries.

Initially convicted in 2017, Doane’s sentence was overturned in 2021, with the appeals court citing errors in the handling of circumstantial evidence. While his hit-and-run conviction remained, the manslaughter charge was refiled by San Mateo County prosecutors.

Judge Sean Dabel also mandated Doane to compensate over $1 million in restitution to Jouaux’s widow, recognizing the profound loss suffered. Although Doane has been credited for time served, sparing him further jail time, the conclusion of this case marks a somber chapter for both families involved.

For individuals facing the aftermath of traffic-related legal issues, seeking professional legal counsel is crucial. The La Honda hit-and-run case took years to resolve but ultimately demonstrates the importance of a fair and thorough investigation process.