Imperial Beach woman pleads not guilty in alleged road-rage death

A 25-year-old Imperial Beach woman was arraigned Tuesday in a suspected road-rage incident in which a motorcyclist was killed.

Darla Renee Jackson was arrested in the death of Navy Chief Petty Officer Zachary Buob, 39. She was arrested by the California Highway Patrol.

Jackson, an accountant, pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder. Bail was set at $1 million.

According to the CHP, Jackson, driving a black Nissan Altima, struck Buob’s red Ducati motorcycle from behind and then ran over him. He died at a local hospital.

Jackson and Buob had an altercation for unknown reasons, the CHP said.

The incident occurred Thursday on the transition from the 5 Freeway to Highway 54. Jackson has been held without bail. She wept through the court session.

Jackson’s mother, Margie, has told reporters that the motorcyclist kicked the side of her daughter’s car while trying to cut into traffic. Her daughter was following him to get his name and insurance information, she said.

Fellow motorcyclists held a ceremonial ride Sunday in Buob’s honor. Several dozen rode to the Superior Court in Chula Vista for Jackson’s arraignment.

Jackson’s mother described her daughter as a loving mother of a 3-year-old daughter. Buob, a 20-year veteran of the Navy, was assigned to the Naval Special Warfare Command in Coronado.

Twitter: @LATsandiego