A woman accused of intentionally ramming her station wagon into a bicyclist in Claremont, killing her, after trying to run down several others last fall pleaded not guilty Friday to murder and attempted murder charges.
Sandra Marie Wicksted, 62, of Claremont, could face a potential sentence of more than 17 years in prison if convicted of the murder of Leslie Pray, 54, of Claremont, and four counts of attempted murder.
The charges include allegations that she personally used a deadly and dangerous weapon — a vehicle — and that she committed the crimes willfully, deliberately and with premeditation.
Pray died at the scene of the collision with Wicksted’s 1996 Mercury Tracer, which was reported at 11:37 a.m. Nov. 3 in the 1900 block of Mills Avenue.
“Based on the investigation, it was determined that the driver intended to strike the bicyclist,” Claremont police Lt. Eric Huizar said then.
Wicksted, who was treated at a hospital for unspecified injuries, was arrested soon afterward and has remained in custody since then.
More than 100 people attended a candlelight vigil at the scene of the crash, where a so-called “ghost bike” painted white was left at the location as a memorial to Pray. Ghost bikes have become common markers of sites where cyclists have died in vehicle collisions.