Judge denies police officer’s request to have case dismissed

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Boone County judge decided Friday not to dismiss the case against a Columbia police officer that hit and killed a child with her cruiser.

According to online court records, Judge Kimberly Shaw denied the motion to dismiss the case after considering the arguments hear in court on Thursday.

Andria Heese's attorney Donald Weaver filed a motion to dismiss the case on Feb. 10.

He argued in court Thursday that the crash was a "tragic accident," but said Heese did not act recklessly, saying it would have been almost impossible to see 4-year-old Gabriella Curry.

On Thursday, the special prosecuting attorney from Camden County, Heather Miller, argued the area where Heese parked outside of Battle High School was a multiuse area, often used by police to park and by pedestrians. She claims Heese was going too fast, knowing there could have been pedestrians or children there.

A second probable cause statement filed Wednesday said Heese was driving about 14 miles per hour before she struck and killed Curry.

Heese's next court date is set for April 15.