BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) - A judge has ruled that a Vermont teenager accused of hitting a pedestrian with her car while texting should not drive again before her case is resolved.
Emma Vieira, 19, of Colchester, pleaded not guilty to grossly negligent operation of a motor vehicle with serious bodily injury resulting in the August crash, which left Debbie Drewniak in a wheelchair. She had been walking her dog when both were struck. The impact left the 53-year-old Drewniak in a coma and killed her dog.
Vieira had asked Judge James Crucitti last week to allow her to drive to and from work after she completes a driver safety course. The Burlington Free Press reports he denied her request.
Prosecutors said Vieira sent and received text messages moments before the crash.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material
may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Related Stories:
Charges stand in Vt texting and driving case
Colchester teen denies texting while driving
How effective is Vermont's new texting and driving law?
Police: Driver who hit Colchester pedestrian was texting
