Speaking through a Vietnamese interpreter on Friday, May 30, Marguerite Vuong, 66, a 28-year employee of the Pacific Palisades post office, pleaded not guilty to felony hit-and-run during her arraignment at the Airport Courthouse. She is charged with one count of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death in the hit-and-run that killed Palisadian David Pregerson.
Her husband, Michael Vuong, also 66, also pleaded not guilty through a Vietnamese interpreter. He is charged with one count of felony accessory to hit-and-run causing death.
The Vuongs arrived at the Airport Courthouse together at approximately 8:30 a.m. At about 10 a.m., the Vuongs and their attorneys appeared before judge Keith L. Schwartz.
David Pregerson, 23, was struck by a car allegedly driven by Marguerite Vuong in the 600 block of Chautauqua at about 3 a.m. on Dec. 27. Pregerson succumbed to his injuries four days later on Dec. 31.
On May 2, the Palisadian-Post asked Marguerite Vuong for comment about her husband’s arrest and she said, “I think they’re wrong. He wasn’t there when it happened.”
If Marguerite Vuong is convicted as charged, she faces four years in state prison. Michael Vuong faces up to three years in county jail.
A preliminary hearing is now scheduled for July 11.
The Palisadian-Post will continue to update this story as details become available.
Photo by Rich Schmitt / Staff Photographer
Photo by Rich Schmitt / Staff Photographer
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