The driver who struck and killed a Malibu High School teen on Saturday while she was walking on Pacific Coast Highway was charged with one count of murder Tuesday.
Sina Khankhanian, 26, of Winnetka, pleaded not guilty in connection with 13-year-old Emily Rose Shane?s death. Judge Keith L. Schwartz ordered Khankhanian jailed on the $3 million bail recommended by the prosecution. He is expected to appear at the Airport Branch Courthouse in Los Angeles on May 6 for the scheduling of a preliminary hearing.
The complaint alleged he used a deadly weapon, an automobile, to commit the crime, according to a press release by the Los Angeles County District Attorney.
Detectives said Malibu High School student Shane was walking home from a friend’s house along the 29000 block of Pacific Coast Highway when Khankhanian driving a Mitsubishi Lancer hit her.
Deputies arrested 26-year-old Sina Khankhanian at the scene and booked him for murder. Investigators believe Khankhanian may have intentionally crashed his car into power pole, causing it to overturn and unintentionally hit the teen.
The Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public?s assistance in investigating this case. They are asking that witnesses — pedestrians, drivers of other vehicles, etc.— who observed the accident and can give a description of the vehicle’s behavior, to contact the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff Station at 818.878.1808. The car was a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer blue four-door with the personalized license plate JOOGEE.
A funeral for Shane was scheduled to take place this week Wednesday at Mt. Sinai Memorial Park in Simi Valley at 2 p.m., followed by a memorial at Malibu West Beach Club that same day.
—Laura Tate