San Diego
A felony hit-and-run charge was added Thursday to the murder count facing the driver of a pickup truck accused of pushing a 12-year-old girl out of the truck on Interstate 5.
Jesus Hector Garcia Artega, 27, pleaded not guilty to both charges at his arraignment before San Diego Superior Court Judge Jesus Rodriguez, who scheduled a July 18 trial.
Garcia told police that Sylvia Rodriguez suddenly jumped out of his truck on the freeway, and he has denied pushing her.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Aaron Katz said the new charge stems from testimony at the May 10 preliminary hearing that indicated that the victim may have been also run over by Garcia’s car as he fled.
Loebig, who has unsuccessfully argued for lowering of the $350,000 bail, said he wants a speedy trial because his client is still in jail.
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