A semi-truck driver is heading to trial in the death of Alex Bell, another truck driver struck in a hit-and-run.
Witnesses at the scene more than a year ago said Bell had caught the man siphoning gas from his big rig truck, and in trying to stop him from leaving, was run over.
Percy Levon Brown, 34, pleaded not guilty Friday to second-degree murder and other charges related to the May 4, 2012, incident.
Following a public plea for information from the victim's wife, Kari Bell, a tip came from someone who recognized the suspected truck seen on city surveillance footage released to the media.
It led authorities to investigate and eventually arrest Brown, the owner of a trucking company.
On the day of the incident, Bell was being dropped off about 5:30 a.m. by his wife and two young sons where he parked his truck overnight in a parking lot at Holman Road and Hammer Lane.
Bell saw someone stealing his diesel fuel and confronted the individual. A fight ensued before the thief jumped into the passenger side of another big rig.
City cameras captured images of the white day cab with an unidentifiable symbol on the door. It did not have a load attached.
Bell latched on to the suspect truck as it sped away with his wife following in their car, she has said.
Kari Bell and one of the couple's sons watched as he fell off when the truck made a sudden sharp movement exiting the parking lot.
He was run over by the truck and later died from his injuries.
Bell was a hardworking family man who coached youth football in Stockton, said San Joaquin County Deputy District Attorney Janet Smith.
"It was a very sad and tragic loss," Smith said. "I can't imagine anything worse for a son than to watch his own father die."
Brown was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on June 29, 2012, in connection with the hit-and-run, outstanding warrants out of Fresno, Los Angeles and San Joaquin County, and on weapons charges after investigators found two firearms during the search of his Stockton residence.
Brown was convicted on firearm charges in April for the two seized guns.
He currently awaits trial for Bell's death and is being held at the County Jail without bail.
