By admin 
A Sacramento judge Wednesday denied a request to divert an Elk Grove woman’s misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter case from criminal prosecution, clearing the way for a trial in the April 2025 crash that killed 23-year-old motorcyclist Connor Lopez.
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Harjit Kaur, who pleaded not guilty in the fatal collision on Sheldon Road, had sought diversion that could have allowed her to avoid a criminal conviction. She was scheduled to return to Sacramento Superior Court on Nov. 2.
“This is a very difficult case. The court is going to deny the motion for diversion at this time,” Sacramento Superior Court Judge Joseph Cress said from the bench as Kaur’s family members gasped.
Cress agreed with Sacramento County prosecutors, who argued Kaur did not get out of her sport utility vehicle to check on the unconscious Lopez after striking his motorcycle or attempt to render aid.
“There’s not a lot of case law on this,” Cress said before concluding: “This is a case in which criminal prosecution is appropriate.”
Kaur’s attorneys previously said she was in shock after the collision. Kaur also had addressed Lopez’s mother in court, expressing condolences for the family’s loss.
Kaur had no prior criminal record. Family members said she had a clean driving record before the fatal collision.
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Kaur’s attorney, Michael Wise, said he was “disappointed” with the decision. Kaur’s brother, Jathinder Singh, said his sister was unable to react after the crash.
“She said, ‘I’m in shock, I don’t know what to do,’” before calling her husband, Singh said.
Cress delivered his decision before a courtroom filled with family members and supporters of Kaur and Lopez. Many of Lopez’s supporters wore blue T-shirts bearing his photo.
As many as 50 others, many of them Kaur supporters, stood in the courtroom aisle before Cress opened an adjacent courtroom where they could watch the proceedings by video.
Lopez’s mother, Allison Lyman, and other family members had pressed state lawmakers to change California’s vehicular manslaughter law to prohibit diversion in such cases. Laney said Wednesday’s ruling marked a small victory in that effort.
“I’m relieved. I’m proud. I hoped that it helps change law. Diversion should never be an option for vehicular manslaughter,” she told reporters outside Sacramento Superior Court.
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This story was originally published October 7, 2026 at 5:01 PM.