Couple Arraigned in Death of Teacher
The passenger in a car that plowed into a group of people on a Culver City sidewalk this week, killing a teacher and injuring eight students, pleaded not guilty Friday to second-degree murder, officials said.
If convicted, Reynaldo Cruz, 19, could face 15 years to life in prison.
Laura Veronica Samayoa, 20, who was driving the car, pleaded not guilty to leaving the scene of an accident in which a death resulted and failing to provide assistance or identifying information, officials said. If convicted, she could receive up to four years in prison.
Authorities believe the accident Wednesday occurred after Cruz grabbed either Samayoa or the car’s steering wheel. Carrie Phillips, 24, a teacher at Turning Point School, was killed and eight students -- ages 13 and 14 -- suffered broken bones and other injuries.
Peter Navarro, Cruz’s attorney, said the charge against his client was “ridiculous and over-reaching.”
“It’s clear to me that it’s motivated by the emotions that this case has aroused,” he said. “As far as I’m concerned, they are charging the wrong person. The person who is responsible for this accident is the driver, not my client.”
Bail was set at $1 million for Cruz and $50,000 for Samayoa. They are expected back in court Wednesday for a bail review hearing.
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