A 25-year-old Pacoima man accused in the hit-and-run death of a woman near Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu earlier this week has pleaded not guilty to charges related to the crash, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office announced Friday.
Pablo Carranza was charged with one felony count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death and one misdemeanor count of vehicular manslaughter, according to a news release from the DA’s office.
Carranza ‘s vehicle allegedly struck Melanie Quinonez on Tuesday as she stood outside of her car near Pacific Coast Highway and Zuma View Place (map), prosecutors said.
(Credit: DMV)
Quinonez and three passengers had pulled over and exited their vehicle to stretch their legs when she was struck, sheriff’s Sgt. Phillip Brooks said.
Quinonez, who had just turned 21 on Monday, died following the crash.
The driver initially fled westbound following the collision, but pulled over about 14 miles north of the crash site after seeing deputies, according to authorities.
Carranza was scheduled to return to court on March 23, the news release stated.
If convicted, Carranza faces a possible maximum sentence of four years in state prison, according to the DA’s office.