Uber driver accused of intentionally hitting pedestrians in Long Beach charged with manslaughter

LONG BEACH, Calif. - A Los Angeles man was charged Tuesday with a felony count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence after authorities said he intentionally drove his vehicle into a group of pedestrians in Long Beach Saturday night. 

The attack left a 60-year-old Long Beach woman dead, and several others severely injured.

Khalid Yagobbi, 46, pleaded not guilty to the charge in a Long Beach courtroom Tuesday.

Police said Yagobbi was speeding eastbound in a white Chevy Bolt in the westbound lanes of Shoreline Drive when he drove through a red light and struck the pedestrians and multiple, occupied vehicles without slowing down at about 6:34 p.m. Saturday at Shoreline Drive and Aquarium Way.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Driver arrested on suspicion of murder after intentionally hitting pedestrians in Long Beach: police

Romelia Cuarenta Aguilar, 60, of Long Beach, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Romelia Cuarenta Aguilar. (Credit: Gofundme, Juan Carlos Cuarenta)

In the arraignment Tuesday, a prosecutor alleged that Yagobbi was an Uber driver and had a passenger in the car with him when the crash happened.

Witnesses said the car struck Aguilar as she pushed a child in a stroller in the crosswalk, and then slammed into multiple vehicles in the opposite lane.

Several other pedestrians were injured and hospitalized, although they were said to be in stable condition.

"At this time, there is no indication that this incident was an act of terror nor associated with the current violence in Israel; however, the investigation is ongoing," the Long Beach Police Department said Sunday.

Yagobbi, who remained at the scene, was taken to a hospital for treatment and then sent to the Long Beach Jail, where he was initially arrested on suspicion of murder.

"On behalf of the Long Beach Police Department, I offer my deepest condolences to the family of Romelia Aguilar for their loss," Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish said after the crash. "The violence and acts of terror abroad have generated concern and anxiety throughout our community, and this apparent act of violence has only added to that anxiety.

"The immediate response by our officers, detectives, and partners from the FBI has been instrumental in this investigation, and while there is no evidence indicating a nexus to the current conflict in the Middle East, we will remain vigilant as we continue investigating every aspect of this crime," the police chief said.

"While motive remains under investigation, at this time, there is no indication the incident is connected to terrorism nor the current violence in the Middle East," Long Beach police said in a posting Monday on X.

Police urged anyone with information about the suspect or the crash to call them at 562-570-7244.

CNS contributed to this report.