A woman accused of driving under the influence of marijuana and causing a crash near Scripps Ranch that killed a passenger in an oncoming car on Easter Sunday pleaded not guilty Friday to second-degree murder and other charges.
Hyun Jeong Choi, 33, who was on probation for DUI, faces 22 years to life in prison if convicted.
Deputy District Attorney Steven Schott alleged that Choi was under the influence of drugs when she crossed over a raised median on Pomerado Road near Caminito Alto about 5:30 p.m., slamming into a vintage 1956 Porsche driven by 49-year-old Jon Warshawsky.
Warshawsky’s front seat passenger and fiancee, 43-year-old Amanda Walzer, was taken to a hospital but died two days later. Warshawsky remains hospitalized in intensive care.
Choi received minor injuries in the crash.
Schott said an officer who arrived at the scene after the crash found a marijuana pipe in Choi’s car.
In addition to murder, the defendant is charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and DUI with drugs causing injury.
Choi — who’s being held on $3 million bail — will be back in court April 29 for a status conference.
–City News Service
