Crime & Safety

Woman Accused of Vehicular Manslaughter Pleads Not Guilty

Twenty-five-year-old East Palo Alto resident also charged with DUI after June 17 crash that killed a 22-year-old woman.

A woman accused of killing another woman in a drunken driving crash in East Palo Alto in June pleaded not guilty to all charges against her Thursday afternoon in court, the San Mateo County district attorney said.

East Palo Alto resident Leylani Simmons, 25, was charged with vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence of alcohol resulting in great bodily injury or death, and driving on a suspended license after a June 17 crash in which Simmon's passenger, East Palo Alto woman Lorina Veamatahau, 22, died, according to the district attorney's office.

Simmons crashed after she drove away from police, who tried to pull her over for reckless driving, according to police officials.

Find out what's happening in Palo Altowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Simmons and Veamatahau were both ejected in the crash, and  Veamatahau died at the scene. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Oct. 7 at 9 a.m., district attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.

Until the hearing, Simmons will be held at San Mateo County Jail  on $500,000 bail, Wagstaffe said.

Find out what's happening in Palo Altowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Bay City News Service


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