MIAMI — A South Florida investor married to model, actress and Benihana heiress Devon Aoki pleaded guilty to two charges on Tuesday ― one of which was reduced ― in connection with a Coral Gables hit-and-run on Dec. 15.
James Bailey, 40, of Pinecrest, had originally been facing a felony charge of leaving the scene of a crash causing serious bodily injury and a misdemeanor charge of resisting without violence.
Coral Gables police said he hit and injured California tourist Jonathan King in the crosswalk at Douglas Road and Giralda Avenue and drove off in his Audi. He flashed a grin for a Local 10 News camera after leaving the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center the day after his arrest.
It appears he won’t be headed back there.
Court records show he pleaded guilty to a reduced misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of a crash causing property damage, as well as the resisting arrest charge. He was given a one-year probation sentence as well as credit for time served.
Authorities said the resisting charge stemmed from Bailey “(running) away” from Pinecrest and Coral Gables police officers, who had just questioned the 43-year-old Aoki about her husband’s whereabouts, outside of their multimillion-dollar home.
According to the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, Bailey’s probation terms include participating in a victim impact panel, attending high-risk traffic school and performing 50 hours of community service. His probation comes without the possibility of early termination.
Records show Bailey received withheld adjudication on the resisting arrest charge, but not on the reduced hit-and-run charge.
Following Bailey’s arrest, King filed a civil lawsuit against Bailey and Aoki, known for playing Suki in the movie “2 Fast 2 Furious.”
The actress was sued as vicariously liable as the owner of the vehicle.
A March court filing in the case states that the parties reached “a resolution on all issues” and the suit was subsequently dismissed.
Local 10 News has contacted attorneys for Bailey and King seeking comment.
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