Mother of Ali Syed Pleads Not Guilty in OC Hit and Run

Sarwat Syed, the 43-year-old mother of alleged OC Rampage shooter Ali Syed, recently appeared in court for felony charges related to an alleged 2011 OC hit-and-run accident that left a 4-year-old girl severely injured. Syed has pleaded not guilty to the charges against her, and she will return to court for a pretrial on April 15, 2013. A jury trial is currently scheduled for May 13.

Syed faces charges because, according to California law, drivers who are involved in an accident must pull over to render aid. If a driver does not stop after an injury accident, it is considered a felony in California. Syed is accused of failing to stop and render aid after she allegedly hit another vehicle on the north 405 Freeway.

The accident, which occurred on June 20, 2011, caused the other vehicle to leave the roadway. The other vehicle was driven by Annette Argo, with her son, Gaven, and young Ava O’Connor as passengers. All three occupants of the other vehicle were injured, but 4-year-old Ava O’Connor sustained the most serious injuries and is still recovering, according to her father.

While prosecutors in the case allege that Syed fled the scene and attempted to cover up her involvement in the accident, Syed’s attorney, Vincent LaBarbera Jr., attempts to paint a different picture of his client’s actions in the incident. According to the defense, Syed was confused and unsure what happened. LaBarbera says Syed did attempt to adhere to the law by pulling over later and notified her insurance company of the accident.

As OC auto accident attorneys, we understand that injured victims and their families often have a hard time pursuing justice after a hit-and-run. At Russell & Lazarus, our hearts go out to the friends and family of Ava O’Connor at this difficult time.

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