Westchester resident Cara Cameron pleaded not guilty Wednesday in the Los Angeles Superior Court to murder after allegedly striking and killing an Australian tourist in Santa Monica while she was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol last year.
A court spokeswoman told The Mirror that Cameron pleaded not guilty to both counts of 187(a) murder and 191.5(a) manslaughter on Wednesday.
A pre-trial conference hearing is scheduled for Aug. 12 at 8:30 am in Department A in the Santa Monica Courthouse.
Australian Gary Mara, along with his wife Julianne and eight-year-old daughter Olivia, were on the north sidewalk on the 300 block of Colorado near the Santa Monica Pier at the pedestrian crosswalk at 8:15 p.m. on Aug. 21, 2012 and started to cross despite the solid red “Don’t Walk” sign.
Mr Mara was struck by a vehicle being driven eastbound on Colorado Avenue by 26-year-old Cameron.
Mr Mara succumbed to his injuries shortly after the collision.
Following an investigation, Cameron was arrested for driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter.
Cameron has been free on bail of $1 million.
