Man Denies Murder Charge Stemming From Pasadena Crash

A man pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and reckless driving in connection with a crash that killed a woman and injured her three passengers in Pasadena late last year, officials said.

Anthony Marcus Houston, 36, of Pasadena entered the plea in the Pasadena branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Bail was ordered to remain at $3 million and a hearing in the case was scheduled for April 29, court officials said.

The charges stemmed from a two-car crash on the night of Dec. 8 at  Fair Oaks Avenue and Glenarm Street in which 49-year-old Juanita Lucinda Johnson of Pasadena was killed, according to Pasadena police and Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner officials.

She was driving a Kia Optima west on Glenarm Street when an Audi S5 being driven south on Fair Oaks Avenue by Houston blew through a red light and slammed into the driver-side of the Kia, Pasadena police said in a written statement.

Paramedics pronounced Johnson dead at the scene.

A man, a woman and an 18-month-old girl who had been riding as passengers in the Kia were treated for injuries described as moderate, police said. Houston, himself, also suffered moderate injuries.

Houston was alleged to have been driving recklessly at more than twice the posted speed limit when the crash occurred, according to Pasadena police Lt. Anthony Russo.

After concluding their initial investigation and presenting their findings to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, prosecutors filed charges of murder and reckless driving on Feb. 16, Russo said. An arrest warrant was issued for Houston.

Police tracked the suspect down in Ontario and arrested him on March 24, officials said.

He was also accused of assaulting and threatening two people during a separate incident in Pasadena on March 6, according to police.

Houston also faces a charge of violating the terms of Post-Release Community Supervision stemming from a prior conviction, records show.

Prior criminal convictions include domestic assault in 2017, violating a court order and vandalism in 2016, hit-and-run in 2015, two counts of robbery and one count of attempted robbery in 2005 and burglary in 2002.

Any witnesses, or anyone with information, was urged to contact Pasadena police at (626) 744-4501. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

Related:

Pasadena Man Arrested, Accused of Murder in Connection With Violent Crash

Woman Killed, 4 Others Hurt in 2-Car Crash in Pasadena