Woman to Be Tried in 2 Hit-and-Run Deaths

A Lemon Grove woman, arrested in the hit-and-run deaths of two bicyclists last month, was bound over for trial at her two-day preliminary hearing in El Cajon Municipal Court on Friday morning.

Monica Marie Rusconi, 26, will be tried in connection with the deaths of Thomas M. Straus, 42, of El Cajon, and Therese M. Martin, 56, of San Diego, who were struck from behind while bicycling on El Monte Road about 1 1/2 miles east of Lake Jennings Road.

Both died instantly, a California Highway Patrol spokesman said.

Rusconi has been charged with vehicular manslaughter, drunken driving, hit and run, and driving with a suspended license, Deputy Dist. Atty. Manuel Ramirez said.

A urinalysis test given to Rusconi revealed that she had four different kinds of drugs in her system, Ramirez said.

Rusconi will also stand trial on misdemeanor hit and run charges stemming from an accident that took place minutes before the cyclists were killed.

James W. Gregory of Lakeside testified that Rusconi sideswiped his truck on the same road, while traveling at least 70 m.p.h., cracking his mirror on the driver’s side, Ramirez said.

Presiding Judge Victor E. Bianchini set Feb. 27 as the date for Rusconi’s arraignment in El Cajon Superior Court, Ramirez said.

Bail has been set at $25,000, Ramirez said.

Rusconi is being held at the Las Colinas County Jail, Ramirez said.