BOISE -- Eight months after a Boise woman was hit and killed as she crossed Ustick Road, the driver of the car that struck her is facing charges.
Eighteen-year-old Jessica Castro of Boise was issued a summons on a misdemeanor count of vehicular manslaughter.
Police say Castro was headed east on Ustick Road at Constantine Drive when she hit 68-year-old Barbara Marie Whittaker in the crosswalk Dec. 19, 2017. Whittaker was rushed to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, but died from her injuries.
Castro remained on scene after the collision, and has cooperated with investigators. The Ada County Coroner ruled Whittaker's death an accident, a designation that indicates that Castro did not hit her intentionally, but does not shield the driver from criminal prosecution.
The misdemeanor charge against Castro was filed July 31, according to court records. Because the prosecutor issued a summons, Castro does not have to report to the jail.
She is due to appear for an arraignment Sept. 20. If convicted, Castro could face up to a year in jail.
