The Latest: Lawyer: Driver did not intend crash that hurt 8

By Associated Press 27 April 2019, 12:00AM

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Latest on a California man accused of intentionally driving into a group of pedestrians (all times local):

3:30 p.m.

The attorney for a California man charged with eight counts of attempted murder says his client did not deliberately drive into a group of pedestrians.

Chuck Smith says the crash that hurt eight people was the act of a mental disorder or defect.

Isaiah Joel Peoples, who is an Iraq War veteran, did not enter a plea Friday in Santa Clara County Superior Court.

Sunnyvale authorities say that Smith intentionally sped into a crosswalk in the Silicon Valley suburb because he thought some of the victims were Muslim.

A 13-year-old girl of South Asian descent remains in a coma with severe brain trauma.

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2:35 p.m.

California authorities say an Iraq War veteran who plowed into a crosswalk intentionally targeted the victims based on their race and his belief they might be Muslim.

Sunnyvale police chief Phan Ngo said Friday that the investigation into Isaiah Joel Peoples is ongoing.

The most seriously injured of the eight is a 13-year-old Sunnyvale girl who is of South Asian descent. She remains in critical condition and is in a coma, with part of her skull removed to relieve pressure.

Her father and brother were also hit Tuesday when police say he drove intentionally into a crosswalk while on his way to Bible study.

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2:15 p.m.

Newly released court documents say a 13-year-old California girl who was critically injured when a car drove into a group of people is in a coma with major brain trauma.

Former U.S. Army sharpshooter Isaiah Joel Peoples is scheduled to be arraigned Friday in Santa Clara Superior Court.

He is charged with eight counts of attempted murder after authorities say he deliberately plowed his car into pedestrians Tuesday.

Four people remain hospitalized, including 51-year-old Ping Lu, who has multiple broken limbs. Also hospitalized is 32-year-old Marina Reimler, with a broken leg and arm.

The left side of the Sunnyvale girl's skull was removed to relieve pressure.

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12 a.m.

An Army veteran with a history of post-traumatic stress disorder is facing charges of attempted murder after police say he deliberately plowed his car into people in Northern California, injuring eight.

Thirty-four-year-old Isaiah Joel Peoples is scheduled to appear in court Friday in San Jose.

The police chief in the Silicon Valley suburb of Sunnyvale says Peoples showed no remorse and told investigators he intentionally drove into pedestrians in a crosswalk on Tuesday evening.

A 9-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl were among the injured. The girl remains in critical condition.

Police Chief Phan Ngo says Peoples was on his way to bring food to his Bible study group.

His mother says Peoples, who was deployed to Iraq in 2005 and 2006, has struggled with PTSD.

By Associated Press 27 April 2019, 12:00AM

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