A Lexington woman who was indicted on manslaughter and assault charges involving a fiery car crash last year pleaded not guilty Friday in Fayette Circuit Court.
The indictment last month charged Meredith Lewis Browning, 21, with second-degree manslaughter in the death of Cierra James, 22, a passenger in the car Browning was driving when the crash occurred. Browning also was indicted on a charge of second-degree assault for allegedly causing serious physical injury to another passenger, Christina Lauren Fraley.
The indictment also charged Browning with driving under the influence of alcohol while younger than 21. Browning, who was 20 at the time of the crash, had a blood alcohol level of 0.02 when her car ran off Old Richmond Road, according to court records. For people 21 and older, a blood alcohol level of 0.08 and higher can bring a conviction.
Browning lost control of her 2001 Volvo S40 as it crested a hill on Old Richmond Road about 2 a.m. May 27, 2009. The vehicle hit a utility pole and two trees before landing in a ditch and bursting into flames, according to police.
A pretrial conference in Browning's case has been set for July 8. A status hearing has been set for Aug. 6.
