An Anchorage woman who police said was talking on her cellphone when she hit and killed a little girl on her bike pleaded not guilty Friday.
Her Yang Thao, 47, was surrounded by family in the Anchorage courtroom as a Hmong interpreter read the charges against her. Police say Thao was behind the wheel May 9 when she hit 4-year-old Ashley Xiong.
Xiong was riding her bike with her sisters at the Dimond Estates Mobile Home Park. One witness said Thao was speeding, although she stopped after the crash and cooperated with police.
Thao has been charged with criminally negligent homicide, a charge that could get her up to four years in jail. She remains out on bail with a next court appearance scheduled for next week.