Couple Ordered to Stand Trial in Pacific Palisades Hit-and-Run Death

A Los Angeles couple was ordered today to stand trial in the alleged hit-and-run that killed a federal judge’s son in Pacific Palisades two days after Christmas.

Marguerite Dao Vuong, 67, is charged with one count of leaving the scene of an accident causing death, and her 67-year-old husband, Michael Vuong, is charged with one count of accessory to hit-and-run causing death.

David Pregerson, 23, was walking in the 600 block of Chautauqua Boulevard when he was fatally struck about 3 a.m. Dec. 27.

Prosecutors said Marguerite Vuong was driving the car that hit Pregerson and that her husband Michael tried to help his wife avoid prosecution.

Pregerson -- a budding filmmaker, recent UCLA graduate, a son of U.S. District Judge Dean Pregerson and a grandson of U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Harry Pregerson -- died four days later as a result of his injuries.

Pregerson’s family and the Los Angeles City Council each offered rewards of $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the driver.

If convicted as charged, Marguerite Vuong faces four years in prison, while her husband faces up to three years in county jail, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

The couple is due back in court on Nov. 3 for arraignment.

--City News Service

PHOTO Patch file photo.

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