Judge to decide case for woman accused of killing pedestrian in car crash

In a bench trial Thursday, Judge Kimberly Shaw took the case of Ashley Moore, the woman accused of killing a pedestrian in a car crash last fall, under advisement.

The judge will now take the time to review the case and make a ruling.

The 18-year-old is charged with one count of misdemeanor careless driving after she allegedly hit two people walking on Rangeline Road in October 2014.

One pedestrian, a 44-year-old woman, died in the crash.

Moore previously told police she was swerving to avoid a second car, but Columbia Police later found no evidence of a second vehicle.

The defense called forward two witnesses who say they saw the crash happen. Those witnesses back up Moore’s testimony that she swerved to miss another car.

However, the state argued the witnesses were not credible. The prosecutor also used several witness testimonies from people who saw the crash happen while they were driving.

Moore also testified Thursday afternoon. She claims as she was driving she saw headlights coming crossing into her lane and swerved to avoid a head-on collision.

Sgt. Brian Tate with the Columbia Police Department also took the stand regarding the crash reconstruction and investigation.

After investigating the scene, interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage, Sgt. Tate determined Moore’s “driving behavior was a direct cause of the crash.”

A search warrant was issued for Moore’s phone records during the investigation. There was no evidence that she was texting while driving. She was also not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

In closing arguments, the state said Moore’s car drifted into the other lane and she over corrected her car, which made he lose control and hit the two pedestrians. The prosecutor said there was no evidence that another car was involved.

Meanwhile, the defense argued there are three witnesses, including Moore, who all testify to the other car.

There is no set date when the judge will reach a decision on the case.