Suspect charged with murder of woman on West Cliff pleads not guilty

UPDATE: 7/24/2018 9:14 a.m. Kelsey Knoll, the woman accused of hitting and killing another woman with her car pleaded not guilty to murder charges in court Tuesday.

Police said Knoll was driving on Modesto Avenue in Santa Cruz on Friday July 20th when she accelerated her car, then swerved to intentionally hit a woman who was walking across the street.

The victim has been identified as 23-year old McKenzie Gilbert.

Gilbert’s family and friends were present in court Tuesday morning.

If convicted Knoll could face 26 years to life in prison.

Knoll also faces charges for a DUI just 9 days prior to her killing Gilbert.

The district attorney’s office is still waiting for the toxicology report from both the July 11th DUI and the fatal crash on July 20th.

Knoll’s bail was set to no bail, and she’s scheduled back in court on August 16.

Gilbert’s family released this statement:

“Our daughter McKenzie Helene Gilbert was tragically struck from behind and killed one block from her home on Friday, July 20th three days before her 24th Birthday. She was a recent college graduate with a degree in Biology. We were having a graduation party next weekend but instead we are planning her funeral. McKenzie was such a vivacious, passionate, fun, sincere, loving person. Her happiest times were riding horses competitively and when she planned and completed a 220 mile hike alone on the PCT/JMT trail for her 20th Birthday. She wanted to do something epic! She was determined, loved music, tried new things, had all kinds of career/business ideas and always set goals for herself. She just recently returned from college and had only been home 10 days. She was so excited to move back to Santa Cruz to be close to family and begin the next stage in life. Tragically her hopes and dreams were snatched away from her. We will miss her beyond what words can express. Our family is in complete disbelief and distraught at the loss of McKenzie. She is loved by her mother, father, sisters, brother, stepfather and stepmother, grandmother, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Please say prayers for McKenzie and hug the people you love. I only wish I had many moments back with her.”

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The victim of the fatal Santa Cruz car crash has been identified as McKenzie Gilbert.

Gilbert was 23-years-old at the time of the accident, but would have been 24 today.

Her family says they were in the midst of planning a graduation and birthday party, now instead they are mourning her loss.

Officials say 24-year-old Kelsey Knoll hit Gilbert with her vehicle as Gilbert was crossing an intersection. They believe this was done intentionally, as Knoll sped up.

“When officers arrived they found a vehicle with a female driver, they also found the victim being rendered aid by two neighbors. During the investigation with witness statements and security video that was found, it was determined that this was not an accident but an intentional act,” says Lt. Warren Barry with the Santa Cruz Police Department.

When Gilbert was hit, the impact caused her to body to be thrown and hit a light post.

Police are still looking for the reason behind Knoll hitting Gilbert, “currently we don’t have a motive, but based on witness statements and overhearing the car accelerating , the car driving into the opposing lane it does appear to be an intentional act. We do not believe at this time there was a relationship between the victim and suspect but we’re pursuing all leads.”

Knoll drove a short distance away but stayed near the scene and was arrested that night. Police say she is known to law enforcement and has a previous criminal history.

Knoll was reportedly on probation at the time of the incident. She is expected to be in court Tuesday morning.

She is being charged with murder.

UPDATE: The victim of the fatal Santa Cruz car accident has been identified as McKenzie Gilbert.

Gilbert was 23 at the time of the accident, but would have been 24 today.

Officials say 24-year-old Kelsey Knoll hit Gilbert with her vehicle as Gilbert was crossing an intersection. They believe this was done intentionally, as Knoll sped up.

“When officers arrived they found a vehicle with a female driver, they also found the victim being rendered aid by two neighbors. During the investigation with witness statements and security video that was found, it was determined that this was not an accident but an intentional act,” says Lt. Warren Barry with the Santa Cruz Police Department.

When Gilbert was hit, the impact caused her to body to be thrown and hit a light post.

Knoll did stay on scene, and law enforcement says she has a previous criminal history.

She is being charged with murder.

KION’s Ashley Keehn will have the latest on this story tonight.

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A Mount Herman woman is being charged with murder after hitting and killing a pedestrian while driving Friday afternoon.

24-year-old Kelsey Knoll was the driver of the car.

The crash happened near the 700 block of Modesto Avenue in Santa Cruz just before 3:30 p.m.

The 23-year-old victim was walking westbound on Modesto Avenue. Knoll was driving westbound in her car and hit the woman in the intersection.

The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police are still investigating whether alcohol, drugs or speed contributed to the crash.

They are also interviewing witnesses and working to determine the motive.