Murder Charges Filed Against Woman who Crashed into LAPD Officer

Murder and other counts were filed today against a Pacoima woman who was behind the wheel of an SUV that crashed into an LAPD motorcycle officer, who died four days after last month's collision.

Qaneak Shaney Cobb, 33, pleaded not guilty to one felony count each of murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and possession of cocaine.

Officer Christopher Cortijo's motorcycle was struck from behind while he was stopped at a red light at Lankershim Boulevard and Saticoy Street in Sun Valley on April 5.

The 51-year-old former Marine died of his injuries four days later. Thousands of uniformed officers joined relatives and friends at his April 22 funeral at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

Mayor Eric Garcetti, who was among the mourners, called Cortijo a "guardian angel" of Los Angeles.

His colleagues remarked of Cortijo's dedication to his work at the Valley Traffic Division -- he was twice named officer of the year, having made more than 3,000 DUI arrests.

Cobb, who according to authorities has prior convictions for drug possession and grand theft, was arrested the day of the crash.

She was initially charged last month with driving under the influence of a drug causing injury -- a charge that has since been replaced by the more serious counts -- along with the cocaine possession count.

Cobb is due back in a Van Nuys courtroom July 10, when a date is scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require her to stand trial.

If convicted as charged, she could face 25 years to life in state prison, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.