
New charges of transportation of methamphetamine and possession of meth were filed Monday, Sept. 16 against a woman who is accused of hit and run in the death of a man in Pacific Beach on Aug. 4.
Taylor Suzanne Johnson, 36, of Clairemont, pleaded not guilty to the new charges which are related to the death of Richard Edward Henkel, 52, who was struck around 11:35 a.m. on the Grand Avenue off-ramp to Interstate 5.
Deputy District Attorney Kelsey Hollander said the charges involve the use of Johnson’s vehicle, which was found damaged outside her residence after the incident.
A preliminary hearing was re-set for Oct. 30 in San Diego Superior Court. Johnson remains free on $50,000 bond.
The San Diego County medical examiner’s office said Henkel was attempted to cross a freeway off ramp to the northbound Interstate 5 when he was struck by the vehicle which did not stop. He was transported to Scripps Memorial Hospital where he died of multiple blunt force injuries about 40 minutes later.
The medical examiner’s office said Henkel was apparently homeless at the time.
The California Highway Patrol investigated the accident after a witness called 911 and gave them a license plate number. The CHP seized a white Honda Civic that was believed driven by Johnson and was parked where she lived.
She posted bond a day after she was arrested. If convicted, she faces up to four years in prison.