PROVO — The mother of a 15-year-old driver who police say hit and killed a 4-year-old boy pleaded not guilty to negligent homicide Wednesday.
Regina Tausinga appeared in 4th District Court, along with a large group of family and friends, to answer to misdemeanor charges of negligent homicide, no proof of insurance and allowing an unlicensed person to drive.
Police say that on Aug. 21, Tausinga's 15-year-old son was driving the family's van in the area of Parkway Boulevard and Wagoneer Road in Saratoga Springs when he hit Cooper Mardesich, who was riding his bike across the road.
Mardesich and his mother had been waving goodbye to another sibling who had just boarded the bus to go to school.
As the bus pulled away, Mardesich began riding across the street, and the unlicensed young driver, who was turning left, didn't see him and struck him in the middle of the road, police say.
Neighbors performed CPR at the scene before Mardesich was flown to Primary Children's Medical Center, where he later died.
"This is a tragic case," said defense attorney Nyal Bodily. "The Mardesich family has suffered a terrible loss."
The Tausingas have since moved from Saratoga Springs due to "pressure" on the family, Bodily said. However, he said many neighbors have been very supportive of the Tausingas, including the Mardesich family, some of whom were in court Wednesday with Tausinga.
"I know the Tausinga family appreciates that," said co-defense attorney Stephen Frazier.
Both families left quickly after the hearing.
It's too early to talk about a potential plea deal, Bodily said, and prosecutor Guy Probert agreed, as they're still gathering evidence. Tausinga will be in court again for a pretrial conference on Nov. 12.
"These are tragic cases," Probert said. "It's a tragedy to think of a little boy being killed and a tragedy to think of a 15-year-old being involved. Everybody has to live with that for a long time."
Tausinga's son was charged with misdemeanors of negligent homicide and no insurance, and his attorney Greg Skordas said he expects to resolve the case soon.
He also expressed appreciation for the sensitivy of the Mardesich family.
"The victim's family has been incredible," Skordas said. "They've been sensitive to (the teen driver) and his family. They have been very forgiving. These are some pretty remarkable people."
E-MAIL: sisraelsen@desnews.com