SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Family and friends of 23-year-old Connor Lopez filled a courtroom April 17 for a second hearing in the misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter case tied to his death, an emotional proceeding that came nearly one year after the fatal crash.

Lopez was killed April 23, 2025, in a traffic collision his family said should have never happened. According to police, he was riding his motorcycle along Sheldon Road when an SUV turned left from the oncoming lane into the WinCo shopping center and struck him.

In the months since, his family has sought accountability while raising concerns that the driver, Harjit Kaur, could avoid any penalties, such as potentially having their driving record cleared.

A vehicular manslaughter charge was filed four months after the crash. However, the family said they later learned the driver could be eligible for diversion under Assembly Bill 3234.

 

A display honoring 13-year-old Giada Lancellotti, who died after being struck by a vehicle in June 2025, is shown alongside a banner calling to end diversion for vehicular manslaughter at an April 23 rally at the State Capitol.

The law allows pretrial diversion programs for misdemeanor offenses, including certain traffic violations. Charges such as driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter may be dismissed if a defendant completes program requirements.

During the April 17 hearing, members of the Lopez-Lyman family urged the judge to consider jail time for the driver, arguing that they drove recklessly and broke the law, leading to Lopez’s death.

A witness also took the stand, recounting what she saw as the first person to reach Lopez at the crash scene. The proceeding also gave loved ones an opportunity to remember him, including a slideshow of photos set to audio of Lopez playing Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” on the piano.

After hearing testimonials, the judge scheduled the next court date for May 15 and took no further action.

As the case continues, Lopez’s mother, Allison Lyman, has remained active in advocating against vehicular violence as the family continues to seek justice.

 

Allison Lyman, center, poses with families present at the April 23 rally along with state lawmakers State Sen. Roger Niello and Assemblymember Tom Lackey.

Much of that effort has focused on educating the public about diversion laws and pushing for legislative changes that would exclude vehicular manslaughter cases from program eligibility.

Lyman joined other families who have lost loved ones to negligent driving at an April 23 rally at the west steps of the State Capitol, where participants came from across California and out of state.

The gathering featured traffic cones displaying photos of loved ones killed in crashes involving speeding, distracted driving, reckless driving and driving under the influence. Families shared testimonies about their grief and frustration with what they described as limited accountability from offenders.

State Sen. Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks) and Assemblymember Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale) attended the rally and voiced support for the effort, including backing Senate Bill 953, which would strengthen penalties for reckless driving offenses in California.

Niello said during the rally that Lyman had connected with his office with concerns about the diversion program and stressed that anyone who takes a life behind the wheel should have that history permanently reflected on their driving record.

 

State Sen. Roger Niello speaks at an April 23 State Capitol rally against vehicular violence organized by Connor Lopez’s family, voicing support for Senate Bill 953, which would strengthen penalties for reckless driving offenses in California

“Driving is not a right; it is a privilege, and it comes with responsibility,” Niello said. “Now, there’s nothing we can say or do to change what did happen, but we can work to change the future.”

Niello said Senate Bill 953, if approved, would ensure that drivers convicted of vehicular manslaughter would have that record reflected by the Department of Motor Vehicles, which he said is not currently the case.

“We can build a system that treats these tragedies with the gravity that they deserve,” Niello said. “A system that ensures accountability, a system that puts victims and families of victims first.”

Also speaking at the rally was Amelia Snyder, mother of 17-year-old Julian Snyder, who died Nov. 16, 2024, after being struck by a speeding driver in Roseville.

“Death due to vehicular manslaughter should be far more greater than a misdemeanor, class, work project, probation or possible diversion,” Snyder said. “We shouldn’t have to hope for accountability or hope for justice. The laws should be in place protecting victims.”

Lyman also reflected on her son during the rally, noting that it marked exactly one year since his death.

Photos and personal belongings are displayed alongside traffic cones at the west steps of the State Capitol honoring loved ones killed by negligent driving, as families seek justice in vehicular manslaughter cases.

She described Lopez as “extraordinary” and said he brought light to their family, adding that he was born on the day of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, which she said made his birth especially meaningful on a day marked by tragedy.

Lyman acknowledged that passing the law would not bring back their loved ones but said it could help prevent future deaths by ensuring accountability for those who cause them through negligence.

“When you take a life due to negligence, that should never be a misdemeanor,” she said. “When you are charged with vehicular manslaughter, you should be in court.”