A Los Angeles couple pleaded not guilty today to charges stemming from an alleged hit-and-run crash that killed a federal judge’s son in Pacific Palisades.
Marguerite Dao Vuong, 66, is charged with one count of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, and her husband, Michael Vuong, 66, is charged with one count of accessory to hit-and-run causing death, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
David Pregerson, 23, was walking in the 600 block of Chautauqua Boulevard when he was fatally struck about 3 a.m. Dec. 27, allegedly by a vehicle driven by Marguerite Vuong, according to the District Attorney’s Office. Michael Vuong is accused of trying to help his wife avoid prosecution.
Pregerson — a budding filmmaker, recent UCLA graduate, a son of U.S. District Judge Dean Pregerson and a grandson of U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Harry Pregerson — died four days later as a result of his injuries.
Pregerson’s family and the Los Angeles City Council had each offered rewards of $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the driver.
The Vuongs are due back at the Airport Branch Courthouse in Los Angeles July 11, when a date is scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require them to stand trial.
If convicted as charged, Marguerite Vuong faces four years in state prison, while her husband faces up to three years in county jail, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
