A San Diego County official pleaded not guilty to charges she killed a bride-to-be in a tragic hit-and- run — telling officers she was distraught over the San Diego mosque shooting after the crash.
At her arraignment Monday on vehicular manslaughter charges, prosecutors revealed that Assmaa Elayyat told investigators she was upset over the mass shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego when she allegedly drove her car into a bus stop and killed a 27-year-old woman, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
The victim, Katie Osorio, 27, was transported to a nearby hospital where she later died from her injuries, ABC10 News reported.
An attorney for Elayyat, who’s a deputy director with the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency, told the court that his client was dealing with “stress and emotions” from the horrific killings on May 18, the same day of the crash.
Elayyat allegedly hit the bus stop so hard that her car got stuck in a tree behind the stop.
San Diego County District Deputy Attorney Hailey Williams told the court that Elayyat worked to free her vehicle from the tree before nearly running over Osorio a second time and fleeing.
“The defendant knew that she struck something and even pulled over after the collision to confirm that there was extensive damage to her car, according to her statement to investigators,” Williams said.
“But she decided that she needed to get herself home to safety rather than return to the scene or take responsibility for her actions.”
Prosecutors said police managed to track the county official down with the use of license plate readers. When officers approached Elayyat, she allegedly tried to avoid police by driving in the opposite direction before surrendering.
Williams said that when Elayyat was questioned about the alleged hit-and-run, she told police she “could not recall the collision, but admitted she may have struck a sign.”
When pressed further, she allegedly claimed to be upset over the mosque shooting, in which two teenage gunmen killed three members of the mosque community.
Family members who were present on Monday blasted Elayyat’s excuse.
“To use a tragic event as an excuse… people lost their lives at the mosque,” said Osorio’s aunt, Dulce Amaya, the Union-Tribune reported. “To use that excuse to keep herself at home. … Katie will never come home.”
It is unclear if alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash.
In 2010, Elayyat was convicted of a misdemeanor DUI in San Bernardino County, court records show.
Family members said Osorio was getting ready to enroll in a nursing program and had been busy planning her wedding in December.
“Tragically, while waiting at a bus stop in San Diego, Katie was the victim of a hit-and-run accident,” a message on a GoFundMe page read.
“She fought bravely to stay alive, but sadly, she passed away. Our family is devastated by this sudden loss, and we are doing everything we can to honor her memory and support her loved ones during this heartbreaking time.”
Elayyat worked for San Diego County’s Health and Human Services Agency as deputy director for self-sufficiency services, according to county records. She’s worked for the county since 2020.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of this tragic loss of life,” a statement read, according to Fox 5. “Our hearts go out to the family, friends, and all who are grieving during this incredibly difficult time.”
Elayyat is facing several charges, including vehicular manslaughter with special allegations of gross negligence. If convicted she could spend up to 11 years behind bars.