Pasadena Man Accused in Arcadia Hit-and-Run Pleads Not Guilty

A Pasadena man who was accused in the hit-and-run death of an Arcadia woman last Wednesday night pleaded not guilty Friday to charges of manslaughter and hit-and-run in connection with the incident.

Police allege that Alex Cerna, 51, was allegedly at the wheel of a Ford Explorer Sport Trac pickup when it struck a 77-year-old woman at S. Baldwin Avenue in Arcadia.

One media report said saw the Explorer then back up and drive around the woman lying in the street and continue on Baldwin.

Authorities said that witness provided the police with a description of the hit-and-run vehicle including its license plate number, which Arcadia police passed on to the Pasadena Police Department.

Cerna was arrested a short time later at his home in Pasadena, where officers located the pickup. Police said officers surveyed the area for a while until Cerna got into the truck and attempted to drive away.

He is being held in custody in lieu of $80,000 bail.

His next court appearance will be on January 12.

Anyone with information about the incident is advised to call the Arcadia Police Department at (626) 574-5151.