Crime & Safety

Man Pleads Not Guilty in Girlfriend's Freeway Death

A North Hollywood man is accused of stabbing his girlfriend.

A man pleaded not guilty today to stabbing his girlfriend, who came out of a moving car on the Foothill (210) Freeway in Sylmar and was struck by several vehicles.

Ricardo "Rick" Jimenez, 26, of North Hollywood, is charged with murder in the Aug. 29 death of Maria Josefina "Josie" Jimenez of Westlake. The two, who are unrelated but were dating, apparently argued at a tattoo parlor the night before she was found dead.

The murder charge includes an allegation that Jimenez used a knife. The woman  came out of her red Toyota Corolla on the eastbound 210 Freeway, west of Hubbard Street, and was struck by several vehicles, according to police.

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The cause of death was being withheld, pending further tests, Ed Winter of the coroner's office said.

Jimenez surrendered to authorities Aug. 30.

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Blood was found on the passenger side of the woman's Toyota, which was found abandoned.

Jimenez, locked up in lieu of $1 million bail, is due back in court on Nov. 21 when a date is scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to order him to stand trial.

--City News Service


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