A man accused of slamming his van into two equestrians in Lakeview Terrace, severely injuring the riders and killing the horses, was charged Wednesday with a felony count of hit-and-run driving.
Rolando Garcia, 32, appeared in a San Fernando courtroom and pleaded not guilty to the charge, which includes an allegation that he inflicted great bodily injury.
The two riders were struck about 9:40 p.m. last Friday on Foothill Boulevard, near Wheatland Avenue. The horses died at the scene and the riders were transported to a hospital for treatment of severe injuries, according to Los Angeles police.
After hitting the two riders, the van crashed into a wall where it became disabled, and Garcia allegedly fled the scene on foot.
He was arrested by Los Angeles police about 5:05 a.m. Saturday. Garcia remains jailed in lieu of $75,000 bail while awaiting his next court appearance Nov. 14.
