A suspected unlicensed driver who allegedly struck and killed a 6-year-old boy in Pacific Beach, then fled the scene, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges that include gross vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run causing death.
Tiffany Sanchez, 32, is accused in the death of Hudson O’Loughlin, who was riding a bicycle with his family when he was struck on the afternoon of Jan. 17 as he crossed an alley on Pacific Beach Drive.
Deputy District Attorney Cassidy McWilliams alleged Tuesday that Sanchez fled the scene and did not stop or call 911.
A photograph of the vehicle captured by a bystander led to her arrest about three hours after the crash at her home in National City, the prosecutor said.
According to McWilliams, Sanchez was not driving with a valid license at the time of the fatality, as her driver’s license has been suspended since 2017.
Along with the felony counts of manslaughter and hit-and-run, Sanchez is charged with an infraction for driving without a license.
She faces up to six years in state prison if convicted of all counts.
Sanchez was initially arrested on suspicion solely of hit-and-run and was released from custody on $50,000 bail, but with the added charge of gross vehicular manslaughter, Superior Court Judge Steven Stone granted a request from the prosecution to increase bail to $150,000 and remanded Sanchez into custody.
If she makes bail, she is prohibited from driving and will have to be monitored by GPS.
Andre Bollinger, an attorney representing the boy’s parents in a potential pending civil matter, said his firm is investigating where fault might lie, including potentially with others besides Sanchez.
Bollinger said they understand Sanchez was not the owner of the vehicle and that the roadway where the fatality occurred is unsafe, leading to numerous other accidents in the past.
Bollinger told reporters the family is “devastated,” but said they were glad the criminal process has begun.
“We’re heartened to see that the District Attorney’s Office has brought a charge of gross vehicular manslaughter against Ms. Sanchez,” the attorney said.
A GoFundMe page created to support the boy’s family describes him as having “an adventurous and creative nature” that “inspired everyone around him.”
The page says Hudson attended school in North Park, had dreams of becoming a military scientist and had “a passion for BMX, cycling, swimming, skating, and building with Legos.”
The page can be viewed at www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-hudsons-family-after-tragedy.
