Clik here to view.
A 37-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to vehicular manslaughter, hit-and-run and other charges for a collision that killed a woman in Brisbane earlier this week, prosecutors said.
Hector Delatorre-Jiminez is accused of causing a collision that killed 59-year-old Lodi resident Rosa Baez early Monday morning, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office.
Shortly before 5:15 a.m., Baez was driving to work in a blue Honda on Bayshore Boulevard at the intersection with Van Waters and Rodgers Road and had a green light to make a left turn when Delatorre-Jiminez allegedly ran through a red light in a Chevrolet Tahoe and struck Baez’s vehicle, pushing it into a light pole, prosecutors said.
Delatorre-Jiminez’s vehicle then struck a second vehicle, injuring its driver. Baez was taken to a hospital and died there, while the victim in the second vehicle is expected to survive.
Prosecutors said Delatorre-Jiminez allegedly ran from the collision scene and went to his workplace in Atherton, but the crash was caught on surveillance video and investigators eventually determined he was the driver. Officers went to his workplace, where he allegedly admitted to what he had done.
Delatorre-Jiminez made his initial appearance in court Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to all charges against him. Against the objection of prosecutors, a judge ruled he can be released on his own recognizance as long as he wears a GPS monitor, according to the District Attorney’s Office. He is expected to return to court on April 22 for a preliminary hearing in the case and is being represented by the county’s Private Defender Program.
The family of Baez has created a GoFundMe site to raise money for funeral expenses.
The fundraiser said “the sudden and tragic loss has left her children, grandchildren, and family in an unexpected state of disbelief and immense grief.”
Baez was described in the GoFundMe as being “loved and treasured for her bright light and generous, kind, loving presence” and was “always willing to give you time and encouragement, always willing to share her hope and infectious joy.”
The GoFundMe had raised $3,370 as of early Friday morning.
The post Family raises funds for Lodi woman killed in Brisbane crash; suspect pleads not guilty appeared first on Local News Matters.
