In Campbell, California, a woman has pleaded not guilty to vehicular manslaughter in connection with a crash that killed a pedestrian. The accident occurred on the morning of May 18, 2023, when the woman, identified as 32-year-old Maria Hernandez, was allegedly driving under the influence and hit 45-year-old Michael Brown, who was walking on the sidewalk.
According to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, Hernandez was driving her car at a high rate of speed when she lost control and struck Brown. Brown was pronounced dead at the scene, and Hernandez was arrested and charged with vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
Hernandez appeared in court on June 1, where she pleaded not guilty to the charge. Her bail was set at $500,000, and she was ordered to return to court on June 20 for a preliminary hearing.
The case is being closely watched by the community, as it is one of several recent incidents in which drivers have been accused of causing fatalities while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In response to the growing problem, law enforcement agencies across the country have been increasing their efforts to crack down on drunk driving and other forms of impaired driving.
In Campbell, the police department has implemented a number of initiatives to combat drunk driving, including sobriety checkpoints, increased patrols, and public awareness campaigns. Despite these efforts, however, incidents like the one involving Hernandez continue to occur, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and enforcement.
The victim’s family and friends have expressed their grief and outrage over the incident, calling for justice and urging others to avoid driving while under the influence. They have also set up a memorial fund in Brown’s honor to support local organizations working to prevent drunk driving and support victims of impaired driving accidents.
As the case against Hernandez moves forward, prosecutors will be working to gather evidence and build a strong case against her. If convicted, she could face significant prison time and other penalties, including the revocation of her driver’s license and fines. The trial is expected to begin later this year.