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The 13-year-old suspected driver in a fatal crash in Woodland on Saturday appeared in court on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to all charges against him, including two murder counts.
Tina Vital, 43, died on Saturday and her 4-year-old granddaughter who was injured in the crash died on Wednesday.
Woodland police said the crash happened after the 13-year-old stole a family member’s car and was seen driving erratically. He then failed to stop when officers tried to pull him over, according to police. Multiple people were hurt in the crash.
KCRA 3’s Michelle Bandur was at the Yolo County Juvenile Court on Wednesday morning for the suspect’s court appearance. Bandur said that he arrived in a wheelchair, and was wearing a neck brace and handcuffs.
Happening now in Yolo Co Juvenile Court.
13 yo suspect in deadly Woodland crash appears .
➡️Wearing neck brace
➡️Handcuffed in wheelchair
➡️Pleads not guilty to all charges
➡️Two murder counts
➡️Detention hearing later
➡️In custody Yolo Co Probation@kcranews
According to Bandur, the suspect’s mother collapsed in court and needed to be taken away on a stretcher to an ambulance that arrived at the front of the courthouse.
The juvenile suspect is being held at Yolo County Probation and the next hearing is set for April 20. At issue is whether he should be released to his parents or remain in custody of Yolo County Probation.
The judge said Wednesday she saw a need for detention and that the suspect is beyond parental control.
He faces 13 charges, plus several enhancements, in all.
Happening now:
The families of the victims in the Woodland double fatal speak out after court hearing of 13 yo driver, accused of stealing car, hitting two cars. Grandmother, 4 yo granddaughter died. Want suspect to serve max time, wish it could be more under CA law. @kcranews pic.twitter.com/CFqYVHNkgH
Growing memorial in Woodland where deadly crash, involving 13 yo driver occurred Sat night. 4 yo girl died this morning, grandmother also killed. @kcranews pic.twitter.com/pRA2sb6xBr
The charges include:
The victims’ family want the driver charged in adult court.
“You’re going to do adult things, you should pay the adult price,” said Armando Preciado, Tina Vital’s brother.
The families stood by a growing memorial at the Woodland crash after the hearing. California law says he will stay in juvenile court. Adalina’s other grandmother doesn’t want the boy released from custody.
“This boy thinking he’s grown enough to get behind the wheel at 13, disregard the law, disregard his parents,” said Elizabeth Topete. “He should be tried as an adult, he was doing adult things.
Correction (April 12, 2023): An editing error in an earlier version of this story misstated the suspect’s plea. He pleaded not guilty.
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