Suspect in deadly hit-and-run in Fresno County makes 1st court appearance

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- A woman accused in a deadly hit-and-run crash made her first court appearance Wednesday morning.

41-year-old Rafaela Cruz of Orosi pleaded not guilty to charges of felony gross vehicular manslaughter.

The judge in this case ordered that we not show her face in court or use her picture.

Officials say the crash happened at about 9:30 pm Saturday night on Adams near Cove Road. That's just west of Orange Cove.

38-year-old Amanda Maldonado was hit and killed by a red truck while riding her bike.

Authorities say Cruz was behind the wheel and left the scene without stopping or calling for help.

Her bail was set to $1 million.

Just days after a deadly hit-and-run, a woman accused of killing a Fresno County bicyclist pleaded for her release from custody on Wednesday.

"Ms. Cruz would like to be heard on the issue of custody, your honor," said Rafaela Cruz's public defender in court.

Cruz is accused of leaving the scene of an accident causing death on Saturday.

Investigators say Cruz drove a red truck, heading in the same direction as the bicyclist near Orange Cove.

The bicyclist was hit by the red truck.

Prosecutors say Cruz drove away and later turned herself in.

"She has five points on her record in the last seven years when she killed Amanda Maldonado," the prosecutor explained.

The victim's family didn't appear to be present in court, but one of Cruz's sisters and her adult daughter were there.

They became emotional as Cruz pleaded not guilty, and her attorney asked for her release.

"Ms. Cruz respectfully requests the court to consider pre-trial services release with GPS location," said Cruz's public defender.

The judge then asked the prosecutor to confirm that somebody had died.

He said the victim did.

"Okay, well, frankly, I was concerned enough with the record of the defendant that's on the public safety assessment," the judge said.

Judge Vogt denied Cruz's request for release.

Setting the case for another hearing, prosecutors will present their evidence.

"At the preliminary hearing, what you're going to look for is, you're going to have to show somehow that this person knew that they struck something," said Attorney Scott Baly.

Baly believes the defense will likely highlight that Cruz turned herself in.

"So, if somebody was intentionally running, why would they be turning themselves in?" Baly asked.

Cruz faces just one charge, and her bail would be $15,000, but the judge elevated it to $1 million Wednesday and said he still had concerns.

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