Chinese student launches petition for mother killed by car accident

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A Chinese student studying in the US is seeking justice for her mother’s death through a White House petition, after the driver who killed her mom was only sentenced to one year in jail.

According to haiwainet, the overseas edition of People’s Daily, Chen Yijing’s visiting mom was struck by a truck when two of them were crossing a road in Calabasas, California, in June 2016.

Her mother later died from injuries caused by the accident.

Nicole Herschel /Photo from the Paper

Chen Yijing and a witness say the driver of the pickup truck, Nicole Herschel, dragged the body of Chen’s mom to the sidewalk, but later lied to the police at the scene and claimed that she did not hit the woman, but was merely helping by dialing 911.

Police later found that Herschel didn’t dial 911, and a scratch on her truck matched the shoes of Chen’s mom.

On November 16, 2017, Herschel was sentenced to the maximum penalty for the misdemeanor charge and allowed to surrender to the Sheriff’s Department until January 26 next year.

Screenshot of the online petition

Chen Yijing said she felt outraged and desperate after the sentencing, and is seeking civil action against the driver.

She is also calling upon communities to sign the White House petition, in hopes to change the verdict.

But according to reports, legal experts say it is not easy to apply more serious charges, as Herschel was not under alcohol or drug influence or using cellphone when the accident took place.

At the same time, Herschel did remain at the scene after the accident which means she did not hit and run.