*A Southern California Lyft driver fell asleep at the wheel, killing his 70-year-old passenger. Now the driver is facing charges of vehicular manslaughter.
The driver, Andy Van Pham, is being held on $10,000 bail in Orange County, California, after being arrested on July 21, months after the crash, PEOPLE reports.Â
The incident occurred around 7 a.m. on April 4 in the city of Tustin.Â
READ MORE:Â Elderly Asian Lyft Driver Robbed at Gunpoint and Pistol-Whipped in Attempted Carjacking / WATCH
So what’s driving with Lyft like now that the world is starting to open up? Lyft co-founder @johnzimmer went undercover to find out. pic.twitter.com/87Cf8GLngB
— Lyft (@lyft) June 11, 2021
According to the Tustin Police Department, Pham, 30, allegedly fell asleep behind the wheel and hit a light pole. His passenger, Margie Quibol, later died from her injuries.Â
“After an extensive investigation by the Tustin Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team, it was determined the driver, 30-year-old Andy Van Pham was driving with negligence, resulting in the death of the victim,” police said in a statement.Â
Pham appeared in court on Friday, and pleaded not guilty to charges of manslaughter, possession of drug paraphernalia, providing false information to a police officer, and making an unsafe turn or lane change, according to the East Bay Times.Â
Lyft said Pham has been permanently deactivated as a driver.Â
“We are heartbroken by this tragic incident and our hearts are with the rider’s family during this incredibly difficult time,” Lyft said in a statement shared with CBS News.
Pham’s next court hearing is on Aug. 9.
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