By Greg Welter
Chico Enterprise-Record
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — A woman accused of killing a 19-year-old Orland woman while allegedly driving under the influence near Corona, a Los Angeles suburb, pleaded not guilty Monday to murder and other charges.
Elva Diaz, 31, reportedly crossed over a centerline and drove her sport utility vehicle head-on into a Honda driven by Rachel A. Elliott early on the morning of Feb. 21, 2008.
Elliott, in Southern California attending college, was critically injured and died a few hours later at an area hospital.
Diaz was arrested after the crash and posted a bond on bail of $75,000. About a year later, as her case was coming to trial, she fled to Mexico.
Diaz was located last month in Santa Cruz De Camotian, near Guadalajara, and returned to the U.S. by Mexican authorities.
The former ambulance driver and emergency medical technician remains jailed in Riverside County with bail set at $5 million. Charges include second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while DUI, and driving on a suspended or revoked license.
Prosecutors said her work as an EMT made her fully aware of the dangers of drinking and driving.
At a hearing last month, Diaz lost a bid to have her bail reduced.
Rachel Elliott’s father, Orland resident Steve Elliott, said he wasn’t surprised at the plea.
“We were hoping for something different, but we were forewarned by prosecutors that a not guilty plea was expected,” he said.
Elliott said he or his wife, Jill, would attend a felony settlement conference in the case Sept. 7. Elliott said the conference will attempt to reach a resolution in the case without going to trial.
Relatives of Rachel Elliott who live in Southern California attended Monday’s arraignment and have been present for other court actions.
Steve Elliott said he was pleased that Diaz was denied a bail adjustment. He said he believes the case will likely go to trial.
According to information from the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, Diaz had been drinking at a bar in the hours prior to the fatal collision and was told by her boyfriend and other patrons not to drive, which she disregarded.
Copyright 2010 MediaNews Group, Inc. and ANG Newspapers