A woman has posted $50,000 bond and remains free after being charged with hit-and-run in the death of a pedestrian on the Grand Avenue off-ramp to Interstate 5 in Pacific Beach.
Taylor Suzanne Johnson, 36, of Clairemont, has pleaded not guilty to hit and run in the Aug. 4 death of Richard Edward Henkel, 52, who was struck around 11:35 a.m.
A preliminary hearing was set for Sept. 30 when Johnson appeared before San Diego Superior Court Judge Kathleen Lewis on Aug. 22.
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 near where she lived.
She posted bond a day after she was arrested and she pleaded not guilty on Aug. 13, according to court records. If convicted, she faces up to four years in prison.
