Trial Reset for Man Accused in Fatal Hit-and-Run

A trial date for the man who allegedly caused a fatal hit-and-run collision at a San Mateo bus stop last year has been pushed back, again.

Josue Lopez, 27, is charged with vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run in connection with the Nov. 24, 2012, crash that killed Reynaldo Aguiniga, 67, of San Mateo, District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.

Lopez has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The trial was expected to start this week, but the defense team again requested to continue the trial. In court Monday, Judge Barbara Mallach agreed to reset the trial date to Feb. 18.

This will be the fourth the second setting of the jury trial date since the superior court arraignment on May 16, Wagstaffe said.

Witnesses told police they saw Lopez driving recklessly out of a Kmart parking lot on Delaware Street with his five-year-old child in the back seat, according to the district attorney's office.

Aguiniga was standing near a cement garbage can and a bus stop, according to police.

Prosecutors said that Lopez lost control of his vehicle, which jumped the curb and struck the cement container near Aguiniga.

The container was pushed off its base and crushed Aguiniga against a tree, police said.

According to witness statements, Lopez got out of his car and looked at Aguiniga before fleeing the scene.

The victim was taken to a hospital where he later died.

A description of the vehicle and a partial license plate number led police to Lopez, who was arrested at his home later that same day.

There was no indication that drugs or alcohol played a role in the collision.

Lopez remains in custody in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Bay City News Service contributed to this article.