Driver Facing Murder Charge, DUI In Crash Pleads 'Not Guilty'

DUBLIN, CA — A Livermore woman charged with murder and gross vehicular manslaughter following a grisly crash that took the lives of two people in November of 2017 pleaded not guilty Friday morning during her court appearance. Lauren April Davis, 26, made her first court appearance during her arraignment on Feb. 13. She was due to enter a plea in late February but the court appearance was postponed several times, according to court records. She will be back in court on August 24.

Davis, who is being held without bail at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, is facing numerous other charges relating to the tragic Livermore case, including three counts of causing injury while drunk driving by a person with prior convictions. Prosecutors said she has two previous convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Last month, the roadside memorial dedicated to the two young women killed in the crash was damaged, according to the family of one of the young victims. A green mermaid tail at the site was taken while the rest of the site appeared damaged and in disarray. The memorial consisted of the mermaid tail, flowers, candles and crosses along Stanley Boulevard in Livermore.

Almost three months after the tragic collision, California Highway Patrol investigators arrested Davis at a home in Livermore on February 8. CHP officials said the night before Thanksgiving, the blue Kia Sorento Davis was driving left the road, overturned several times and came to rest on the first set of railroad tracks. Five people were in the SUV at the time of the wreck.

Violet Campbell, 16, who attended Village High School in Pleasanton, was killed immediately after she was partially ejected. Livermore native Alexys 'Lexy' Garcia, 25, who was fully ejected, died a week later after succumbing to her injuries, according to officials. Davis suffered minor injuries during the deadly collision. A funeral for Campbell was held on Dec. 3 and a celebration of life was held for Garcia on January 6.

Photo of Lauren April Davis courtesy Alameda County Sheriff's Office