Teen Charged in Hit-And-Run Death to Stand Trial

Samuel Metu, a student and football player at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks faces up to four years in prison if convicted of felony charges in the death of a four year-old boy.

A San Diego judge John Einhorn denied a motion by defense attorney Jeremiah Sullivan to reduce the charge to a misdemeanor. Metu has pleaded no guilty to the felony charge.

The attorney claimed that the July 9th incident happened when James Darapheth, 4, darted into traffic and was accidentally struck by Metu. Metu left the scene but later returned when he realized that he had hit something, his attorney said.

Detective Ronald Lemaster testified that Metu told him he felt a bump as if he had hit something but kept driving.

The victim was apparently dragged about 46 feet, according to Traffic Officer Geroge Maglaras.