Driver Faces Manslaughter Charges in Sideswipe Death

A driver who allegedly sideswiped three parked cars in Reseda on Wednesday while her passenger was hanging her head out the window--resulting in the death of the passenger--has been charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, authorities said Friday.

Karen Louise Shaw, 27, was also charged with leaving the scene of an accident, said Sandi Gibbons, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office. Shaw, of Melbourne, Australia, pleaded not guilty to the charges during her arraignment in Van Nuys Superior Court on Friday, Gibbons said.

According to Gibbons, Shaw posted $135,000 in bail using certified checks provided by her employer, a travel agency. Shaw surrendered her visa and passport. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled April 24; if convicted, she faces up to 13 years in prison.

Police said the 20-year-old passenger, Karla Barton, also of Australia, suffered fatal head trauma after Shaw allegedly hit the parked vehicles along Victory Boulevard, near Corbin Avenue. Barton had been in the United States about two months and had been staying with Shaw, who was a friend, Gibbons said. Barton stuck her head out the car window because she was ill, according to Gibbons.

After the accident, Shaw continued driving to her apartment about eight blocks away, police said. Shaw called 911 after arriving, but paramedics declared Barton dead at the scene.

Gibbons declined to release the results of Shaw’s blood alcohol test.