A 26-year-old woman faces multiple charges including second-degree murder in connection to a fatal traffic accident in September that took the life of Marianna Hernandez-Gonzales near 9th and Hardesty, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.
According to court records, Deanna Holleran faces charges of second-degree murder, tampering with a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident and three counts of second-degree assault.
The charges state the felony murder charge is based on the fact that the victim was killed in a motor vehicle collision that resulted from the defendant’s perpetration of tampering, according to court record.
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Records show, police were dispatched to the area of 9th and Hardesty on the evening of Sept. 15, 2015, and found the victim deceased at the scene. Her overturned Tahoe and a heavily damaged vehicle were nearby. The victim had been ejected from the vehicle.
The victim’s husband and six children also were in the vehicle with the victim. Three children were transported to the hospital for treatment of their injuries.
Holleran told police she knew the vehicle she was driving was stolen and that she had been using Methamphetamines and Marijuana just prior to getting into it.
According to police, Holleran also stated as she approached 9th and Hardesty she knew she had a red light. Out of fear for her life, she said she closed her eyes and gunned it. Then the accident occurred.
Holleran’s bond was set today at $500,000.
Additional court records show in 2014, Holleran was charged with receiving stolen property in the Clay County.
A warrant for her arrest in the case was issued in June 2014 after she failed to appear in court.
She was eventually arrested on Sept. 21, 2015 after more than a year on the run, but then was granted release after posting $15,000 bond a few days later.
Holleran made another court appearance in October, but then skipped out on a court hearing in November.
A warrant remains out for her arrest on that charge in addition to the new charges announced today.
The last time she appeared before the legal system was Nov. 20, 2015.
No mug shot of Holleran was available.
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Lexi Sutter can be reached at alexandra.sutter@kshb.com.
