A diner pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to charges that he used a car to run over and injure a waitress who confronted him and his passengers about skipping out on a $45 tab, prosecutors said.
Rowshaid Cordell Pellum, 24, of Cerritos, entered his plead during a hearing Tuesday afternoon.
He is accused of running down 28-year-old waitress Maria Uriostegui on Sunday night in the parking lot of the Mexico Lindo in unincorporated Anaheim.
Pellum faces one felony count of aggravated assault, one felony count hit and run with injury, and one misdemeanor count of defrauding an innkeeper.
If convicted, Pellum faces up to four years and eight months in state prison. Ralph is charged with one misdemeanor count of defrauding an innkeeper. She faces up to six months in jail.
Co-defendants Santeea Munay Ralph, 23, Shyteice Lashay Miles, 19, and Markeisha Michelle Williams, 18, all of Long Beach, were each charged with a misdemeanor count of defrauding an innkeeper.
Uriostegui, who suffered scrapes and bruises, told reporters Monday outside the restaurant that she is happy to be alive.
Family members have set up an account to help with Uriostegui's medical bills:
If you'd like to make a donation, it's for Chase bank and the account number is: 13-33-36-610.
