DRIVING WHILE BLACK - Tamika Pledger, a candidate for Unified Government commissioner, RUNS DOWN 4 TEENS, KILLING ONE, Tierra Smith

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A woman accused of hitting four teens while driving a car now faces an upgraded charge of involuntary manslaughter.

Tamika Pledger, a candidate for Unified Government commissioner, appeared in Wyandotte County court Tuesday to face the amended criminal complaint in the case.

Pledger is accused of running down four teenagers while driving her car. The district attorney charged the 38-year-old woman with involuntary manslaughter after one of teens, 16-year-old Tierra Smith, died as a result of her injuries.

Pledger did not speak with reporters as she entered the Wyandotte County courthouse Tuesday morning. In addition to the upgraded charge, prosecutors asked for and received an order barring Pledger from having any contact with the victims’ families or witnesses in the case.

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