A woman who allegedly fled after running over her friend in Hollywood when the pair stopped to argue with a motorcyclist pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a felony charge of hit-and-run driving resulting in death.
Samantha Cunha, 27, of Pearl Beach, Florida, was charged Monday with running from the area where her friend, 27-year-old Sophia Ardalan, of Los Angeles, died on Jan. 20.
Police said Ardalan was driving a gray Mercedes-Benz and Cunha was in the passenger seat when the car was involved in a minor crash with a motorcyclist. Ardalan pulled over in the 1300 block of North Martel Avenue, near Sunset Boulevard, and both women got out of the car to argue with the motorcyclist, police said.
Prosecutors said Cunha returned to the passenger side of the Mercedes, which began rolling and knocked Ardalan down. Cunha allegedly moved the car’s gear shift, causing the Mercedes to run over Ardalan, killing her. Prosecutors said Cunha then ran from the scene.
She was arrested the following morning, police said. She was booked and later released on bond.
Cunha faces up to four years in prison if convicted, according to the District Attorney’s Office. She is due back in court March 11.
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