Mother Faces Serious Charges After Fatal San Diego Collision
A San Diego mother has entered a not guilty plea after being charged in connection with a fatal hit-and-run incident that claimed the life of a six-year-old boy. Tiffany Sanchez, 32, appeared in court on Tuesday, where she was formally charged with gross vehicular manslaughter, driving without a valid license, and hit-and-run causing death following the January 17 tragedy.
Court Proceedings and Bail Adjustments
Sanchez was initially arrested shortly after the incident and released on $50,000 bail. However, following the addition of the gross vehicular manslaughter charge, Superior Court Judge Steven Stone significantly increased her bail to $150,000 during proceedings at the San Diego Central Courthouse. This adjustment led to Sanchez being remanded into custody after she was unable to meet the new financial requirement.
Throughout her court appearance, observers noted that Sanchez maintained a scowling expression as the serious allegations were presented against her. If ultimately convicted on all charges, she could potentially face a prison sentence of up to six years for her alleged involvement in the fatal collision.
Prosecution's Account of the Incident
According to Deputy District Attorney Cassidy McWilliams, the tragic events unfolded when Sanchez allegedly accelerated her vehicle into six-year-old Hudson O'Loughlin as the boy was riding his bicycle alongside family members. Prosecutors claim that rather than stopping to render assistance, Sanchez continued driving, with both sets of tires passing over the child's body before she fled the scene without contacting emergency services.
"The defendant struck Hudson and proceeded over Hudson's body, running him over with both sets of tires," McWilliams told the court, as reported by FOX5. "She did not stop, did not render aid, and made no calls to 911. Instead, she made a conscious decision to flee the scene."
Investigation and Arrest Details
Police investigation revealed that Sanchez did not possess a valid driver's license at the time of the alleged incident, with her driving privileges having been suspended since 2017. Authorities were able to identify and locate Sanchez after a witness provided photographic evidence that helped investigators trace the vehicle's license plate to her residence in National City.
Following her rearrest on the enhanced charges, the court has imposed strict conditions should Sanchez manage to post the increased bail amount. These restrictions would include a complete prohibition on driving and the mandatory wearing of a GPS monitoring device, as prosecutors have expressed concerns about her potential flight risk.
Community Impact and Family Tributes
The fatal collision occurred as Hudson and his family were returning home from a lunch outing on a catamaran. Despite being rushed to hospital immediately after being struck, the young boy succumbed to his injuries. The incident has profoundly affected the local community, with witness Lindsay Chilson describing the scene as "devastating" and noting that "I don't think anyone slept that night" following the tragedy.
Hudson's family have remembered him as an exceptionally curious and bright child whose enthusiasm for understanding how things worked brought joy to those around him. His mother, Juliana Kapovich, shared on social media: "While Hudson's mind was always racing, his curiosity taught all of us to slow down. To pause and examine leaves, bugs, lizards, and the quiet mechanisms of nature."
Matthew O'Loughlin, Hudson's father, expressed his grief simply: "My son was taken away from us this weekend, rest in peace my boy." The family's aunt, Nicole O'Loughlin, added that Hudson was "deeply loved and full of energy and creativity" and that his untimely death "has shaken all of us."
Ongoing Legal Process and Community Support
A GoFundMe campaign established to support Hudson's family had raised approximately $93,000 toward its $150,000 goal by Wednesday morning, demonstrating significant community solidarity in the wake of the tragedy. Meanwhile, Sanchez's next court appearance has been scheduled for February 4, where further legal proceedings will determine the trajectory of this emotionally charged case.
As the judicial process continues, Hudson's mother has expressed hope that the tragedy might lead to "safer streets for cyclists" in their community, turning personal loss into potential advocacy for improved road safety measures.
