An airport shuttle bus driver accused of hitting a pedestrian while distracted pleaded not guilty Tuesday to felony reckless driving charges, according to San Mateo County prosecutors.
Tiana Marie Wilbert, a 31-year-old resident of San Francisco, was allegedly distracted by some sort of electronic device when she ran a red light and struck a pedestrian in a crosswalk Dec. 31 in South San Francisco.
The 32-year-old victim suffered major injuries including numerous broken bones, a collapsed lung, brain bleeding and a torn spleen. The victim’s spleen had to be removed, according to prosecutors. Wilbert reportedly denied being on her cellphone and claimed the traffic signal had been a green light at the time of the collision, but prosecutors say that video evidence contradicts her statements.
If convicted she could face six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, according to state law. Wilbert will appear in court again at 2 p.m. on April 21. Meanwhile, she remains out of custody on $50,000 bail. Wilbert will be represented by the Private Defender Program, but chief defender John Digiacinto said they have yet to assign her an attorney.
Digiacinto declined to comment further on the case.
Last modified March 19, 2015 12:38 am
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