Couple Plead Guilty in Hit-Run Death of Girl
A West Covina woman and her husband pleaded guilty Monday to charges related to a hit-and-run traffic death of a 17-year-old girl in El Monte.
Beth A. Smith, 43, pleaded guilty to one felony count of leaving the scene of a fatal accident. Her husband, Carl Smith, 38, pleaded guilty to being an accessory, for his efforts to fix the damage to the couple’s mini van.
Mary Louise Rodriguez, 17, of El Monte was struck by a Ford Aerostar shortly before 11 p.m. on Aug. 7 as she crossed Ramona Boulevard, east of Lexington Avenue. The van driver sped away. The Smiths were arrested two days later after El Monte police received a tip.
Pomona Superior Court Judge Robert Gustaveson sentenced Carl Smith to two years in prison. Beth Smith will not be sentenced until March 31. She faces up to four years in prison, the district attorney’s office said.
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