The legal case involving a San Diego County employee accused of hitting and killing a woman at a bus stop took a new turn at a local arraignment. Assmaa Elayyat, who serves as deputy director of Self Sufficiency Services for San Diego County’s Health and Human Services agency, entered a plea of not guilty to charges of vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run following a collision on National Avenue that prosecutors say killed 27-year-old Katie Osorio.

The allegations center on a May 22 incident in which investigators say Elayyat’s vehicle left its lane, mounted a curb and struck a bus shelter and tree, fatally injuring Osorio. Court proceedings this week outlined the charges, the proposed penalties and the surrounding circumstances that both the prosecution and defense described to the judge.

Charges, potential sentence and release conditions

Prosecutors detailed that Elayyat faces multiple counts including vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run, offenses that carry a combined potential sentence of up to 11 years in state prison if she is convicted on all counts. Although authorities did not pursue DUI charges in this case, Elayyat remains free on $50,000 bail under several court-imposed conditions. Among those conditions are a prohibition on driving and a court-ordered restriction against leaving San Diego County.

Evidence and scene details

The district attorney’s office said surveillance and witness statements indicate the vehicle drifted into oncoming traffic before climbing the curb and striking the bus stop structure and a tree. According to the prosecution, the force of impact left parts of the car — including the front bumper and the driver-side mirror — at the crash site, and the driver reportedly attempted to free the vehicle from the tree before reversing and nearly running over the victim a second time.

Investigation sequence and statements

Law enforcement used license-plate reader footage to locate the suspect vehicle about a mile from the scene, leading to a traffic stop and subsequent questioning. The prosecutor said Elayyat initially told officers she could not remember the collision and suggested she might have struck a sign on National Avenue. When investigators pressed further, she referenced being emotionally affected by a recent mosque shooting on May 18, which defense counsel later framed as a factor in her state of mind.

Prior record and monitoring device

The prosecutor noted Elayyat has a limited criminal history that includes a 2010 misdemeanor DUI conviction in San Bernardino County. In court, the defense attorney said his client consented to the voluntary use of a SCRAMx monitoring device — typically used to detect alcohol consumption — and described the device as a precautionary monitoring measure to help ensure compliance with conditions and to demonstrate responsible behavior while the case proceeds.

Defense narrative and the judge’s decision

Defense counsel argued that Elayyat’s actions were influenced by acute emotional distress following the mosque attack, suggesting that intense stress led to a tragic error in judgment. He requested that the court order electronic alcohol monitoring, but the judge declined to mandate the device; defense attorneys said Elayyat would continue participating voluntarily.

The defense framed the SCRAMx device as a sort of accountability tool — a voluntary safeguard rather than an admission of intoxication — and emphasized a desire to prevent any recurrence of such behavior. The prosecution suggested the device was sought to help Elayyat earn conduct credits that could reduce a future sentence, a contention the defense disputed.

Victim background and courtroom reaction

The woman killed in the crash, Katie Osorio, was 27. On a GoFundMe page set up to assist her family, a cousin wrote that she was a devoted daughter and hard worker who balanced two jobs while supporting her mother in Mexico and operating a small business back home. The family said Osorio was scheduled to be married later in the year and had just finished a work shift before heading to the bus stop.

About a dozen relatives and friends attended the arraignment. They demonstrated strong emotions in the courtroom, with some calling the defendant a “murderer” and demanding “justice for Katie” as Elayyat left the proceedings. Authorities confirmed Elayyat has been employed by San Diego County since 2026.

Next steps in the case

With the not guilty plea entered, the matter will move forward through pretrial proceedings. Both sides are expected to exchange evidence, and court dates will be set for motions and trial preparation. In the meantime, Elayyat’s release conditions remain in place, and community attention continues to focus on the fatal collision and its wider repercussions for the victim’s family and county employees alike.

The case combines questions of accountability, mental state and public safety as it progresses through the criminal justice system. Observers and family members alike will be watching forthcoming court actions for clarity and resolution.