Hooper |LinkedIn Thumbnail photo: Randy Hooper's hit and run and DUI charges stem from a collision that took place near Sand Mine Road and U.S. 101 on April 19. | Photo by Heather Polen. Assistant County Administrative Officer Randy Hooper pleaded not guilty to felony DUI and hit and run charges on Tuesday. Hooper was arraigned before Del Norte County Superior Court Judge William Follett, according to Keith Morris, who is prosecuting the case for the California Attorney General’s office. Follett set a jury trial for Oct. 27 through 30, Morris told Redwood Voice Community News on Wednesday. Hooper entered his not guilty plea via his attorney, George Mavris, according to Morris. About two weeks prior, Mavris unsuccessfully petitioned Judge Karen Olson to reduce Hooper’s charges from felonies to misdemeanors. California Highway Patrol officers arrested Hooper following a two-vehicle collision near Sand Mine Road and U.S. 101 at about 10 p.m. April 19. The defendant had a blood alcohol level of 0.198, CHP Officer Edgar Anaya said during an Aug. 26 preliminary hearing. According to Jennifer Williamson, an investigator with the Del Norte County District Attorney’s Office, Hooper was asked to leave Elk Valley Casino prior to the collision. Though staff had secured a taxi cab for the defendant, he left the casino in his truck, said Williamson, who interviewed casino staff. The victim in the case, Megan Postma, testified on Aug. 26 that she was approaching the stop sign at Sand Mine Road and U.S. 101 on April 19 when she was hit from behind and pushed onto the highway. Postma testified that she felt that she was sideswiped as Hooper wound up in front of her where his truck stopped. She said she counted for about 15 seconds before she reached for her phone when she saw Hooper begin to drive away. When making the motion to reduce Hooper’s charges to misdemeanors, Mavris submitted character reference letters to the judge from Del Norte County Sheriff Garrett Scott and County Administrative Officer Neal Lopez.