A Claremont woman accused of intentionally striking a cyclist with her car last year has pleaded not guilty to murder.

Sandra Wicksted, 62, entered not-guilty pleas to five charges—one count of murder and four counts of attempted murder—during an arraignment on Friday, August 9 at Pomona Superior Court.

A pre-preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 3, according to the Los Angeles County Superior Court database.

Ms. Wicksted is accused of deliberately driving her green Mercury Tracer into 54-year-old Leslie Pray, who was riding her bicycle north on Mills Avenue on November 3, 2018.

Ms. Pray died at the scene. Ms. Wicksted is also accused of trying to strike other cyclists with her car before she allegedly hit Ms. Pray.

Ms. Wicksted had a mental competency hearing on August 2 and was deemed mentally fit to stand trial in Ms. Pray’s death. She is currently being held on $6.1 million bail.

If convicted on all charges, Ms. Wicksted could face up to life in prison.  

—Matthew Bramlett

news@claremont-courier.com