SJ Hit and Run Case Stalls in Court

A 19-year-old man accused of fatally running down a 46-year-old woman with a Honda Civic on Monday night delayed entering a plea in Santa Clara County Superior Court Thursday.

Richard Delgado is charged with murdering San Jose resident Donna Fife and faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted, according to the district attorney's office.

Delgado allegedly drove a black Lincoln Mark VIII into a fence at 3917 Thainwood Way around 11 p.m. Monday, police said. The vehicle lost its bumper in the crash.

Witnesses identified the driver of the Lincoln as Delgado, told police he had fled the scene and informed officers he lives at 3916 Thainwood Way, according to police reports.

Delgado, who was apparently confronted by neighbors after the crash, parked his car around the corner, came back and started arguing with them, police Sgt. Mike Sullivan said.

Witnesses who were standing in the yard and waiting for police to arrive then saw Delgado go into his home before exiting and getting in the driver's seat of a beige Honda Civic, police said.

Fife was standing on the front lawn of the house next to Delgado's home when Delgado reversed the Honda out of his driveway.

A witness then heard Delgado yell, "I'm gonna get you," according to police.

Delgado allegedly drove the Honda toward Fife and over the grass, hitting her and running her over. He then drove off the lawn and fled the scene, police reported.

Fife was transported to a hospital, where she later died.

Police located and arrested Delgado, who appeared briefly in court Thursday and delayed entering a plea until next week.

He is scheduled to return to court for a plea entry at 2 p.m. Jan. 29 in Dept. 23 of Santa Clara County Superior Court.

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