A Stockton man was ordered Monday to stand trial on allegations he shoved a former racecar driver out of a wheelchair while working as a contracted security guard during a July 13 NASCAR event at Sonoma Raceway.
Judge Laura Passaglia’s ruling concluded Alexander Rosiles’ preliminary hearing in Sonoma County Superior Court, where he’s charged with assault and battery on Chase Johnson of Penngrove. Rosiles, who is out of custody, is scheduled to return to court Dec. 30 for arraignment.
Johnson and his wife, Hayley, were the only witnesses to testify during the 27-year-old’s hearing, according to court minutes. Their attorney, Daniel Dunbar, said he was out of town when reached by The Press Democrat for comment Tuesday morning.
Chase Johnson, a well-known sprint car driver, was paralyzed in a 2024 crash at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico. Since returning to Penngrove in early 2025, he has continued physical therapy and resumed attending local races as a spectator.
The July confrontation occurred during the track’s marquee NASCAR Toyota/Save Mart 350 event and first drew attention in a now-deleted Facebook post by Hayley Johnson. The post was widely circulated across racing blogs, news outlets and social media.
According to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, the Johnsons had passes to Sonoma Raceway for the event and were leaving when they encountered Rosiles. In the Facebook post, Hayley Johnson wrote Rosiles refused to let them into a disabled parking area but allowed others to pass. When they asked to speak to a supervisor, Rosiles declined, told them to leave and then demanded they stay.
Then, Hayley Johnson wrote in the Faceook post, Rosiles shoved her husband and caused his wheelchair to flip backward. Chase Johnson struck his head on the pavement and lost consciousness for roughly 15 seconds. He was treated at the track’s medical center before spending a night at a hospital.
Sheriff’s deputies arrested Rosiles at the scene and he was charged days later by the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office. He was released after posting $35,000 bail and has continued to attend court appearances.
His attorney with the Sonoma County Public Defender’s Office could not be immediately reached for comment Tuesday.
Still ongoing is the Johnsons’ civil lawsuit in Sonoma County Superior Court alleging assault, battery and negligence. It was filed in August and originally named two security companies identified as Rosiles’ employers.
A representative from one of the companies told The Press Democrat that Rosiles never worked for them. Dunbar later confirmed neither company employed Rosiles and both have been dismissed from the case, leaving him as the sole defendant.
Dunbar said on Tuesday that Rosiles appears to have been in the employ of a security company with a Stockton office. The Press Democrat could not independently verify that link Tuesday and Chief Deputy District Attorney Andrew Lukas said he could neither confirm nor deny the company’s involvement.
Kevin Kern, a spokesperson for Sonoma Raceway, declined to comment Tuesday.
Discussions in the civil matter are scheduled to resume Feb. 10, according to court records.
Rosiles’ status as a licensed security guard is unclear. He is not included in the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services’ online database of licensed guards, though it’s unclear if he’s identified under a different name by authorities.
You can reach Staff Writer Colin Atagi at colin.atagi@pressdemocrat.com.