Trial Begins for Alleged Pacific Beach Hit-and-Run Driver

After about a six-month investigation, the driver accused of killing a 6-year-old boy in a January 2026 hit-and-run incident finally appeared in court.

Following her July 2026 arrest, the 32-year-old woman pleaded not guilty to felony charges, including gross vehicular manslaughter and hit and run causing death.

Prosecutors allege she turned into an alleyway near Ingraham Street and Pacific Beach Drive, whereupon she struck the boy who was riding his bicycle. The boy’s father, who was at the scene, said his son was still alive and tried to move his bike out of the way when the woman allegedly accelerated and ran over the boy with her vehicle.

One witness who lived close by and was about to leave the alleyway with a friend to go hiking, heard the commotion and ran over. She described what she saw when they exited their vehicle at the other end of the alley.

“We saw it stop and then immediately, the driver slammed the gas to accelerate rapidly,” the witness said. When the prosecutor asked if she saw an upward motion, she responded, “Yes, it looked like it had bounced over something.”

A bystander caught the woman’s license plate number as she fled the scene, enabling authorities to locate her home in National City.

“I commend them for the strength of what they’re going through and the fact that they were able to show up today and relive this awful experience in front of an entire courtroom full of people,” remarked Deputy District Attorney Cassidy McWilliams.

If convicted of the charges, the woman could face up to 12 years in state prison. She is out on bond, wearing a GPS ankle monitor, and due back in court on July 27th.

Criminal and Civil Hit-and-Run Matters

Many hit-and-run cases go to criminal and civil court. The purpose and the burden of proof are both very different in these two forums.

Criminal courts punish offenders. Hit-and-run criminal penalties, which apply to all drivers who leave accident scenes, regardless of fault, usually include extended court supervision and high fines. These incidents usually have collateral effects as well, such as higher auto insurance rates.

A Carlsbad personal injury lawyer files civil claims to compensate victims. This compensation usually includes money for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering. Additional punitive damages may be available as well.

Furthermore, the burden of proof is different. Criminal prosecutors must prove guilt beyond any reasonable doubt. But the burden of proof in civil court is only a preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not). Therefore, cases that are impossible to prove in criminal court may be successful in civil court.

Hit-and-Run Investigations

A criminal case must identify a defendant and, in most cases, a civil case must identify a tortfeasor (negligent driver).

Police investigators and Carlsbad personal injury lawyers use much the same evidence to locate defendants/tortfeasors. This evidence includes:

• Additional Witnesses: For various reasons, most people don’t loiter at accident scenes and give voluntary statements to police officers. Police investigators often have a hard time finding more witnesses, but people are more cooperative with private lawyers.
• Body Shops: Defendants and tortfeasors alike must have their vehicles repaired somewhere. Police investigators usually need search warrants to inspect premises and ask questions. Private civil lawyers have no such constraints.
• Surveillance Video: This footage is only useful in criminal court if it clearly identifies both the vehicle and the driver. But in civil court, because of the lower burden of proof, one or the other is usually good enough.

Most civil cases, like most criminal cases, settle out of court. These resolutions usually benefit all victims, especially in civil court. Civil settlements bring closure sooner and give victims more control over the outcome.

Reach Out to a Thorough San Diego County Lawyer

Injury victims are entitled to substantial compensation. For a confidential consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Carlsbad, contact the Pursley Law Firm. We routinely handle matters throughout the Golden State.

Source:

nbcsandiego.com/news/local/parents-recount-fatal-pacific-beach-hit-and-run-as-driver-accused-goes-to-trial/4029579/