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Canyon Country Woman Accused In Deadly July 4th Crash To Be Arraigned

SAN FERNANDO (CBS)  — A woman accused of causing a car crash that killed a woman watching a Fourth of July fireworks display with her children is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday on a felony vehicular manslaughter count.

Melissa Brigette Brown, 23, of Canyon Country, allegedly ran a red light and collided with a Dodge Durango in Valencia.

The impact of the crash caused her vehicle to spin and jump a sidewalk at McBean Parkway and Valencia Boulevard about 9:50 p.m. last July 4th, authorities said.

The crash killed Matilde Garnica, 43, of Newhall, who was standing on a sidewalk with three of her children. Several other people also were injured.

Along with the felony charge, Brown is charged with failure to stop at a red light -- an infraction.

Brown, who is free on her own recognizance, faces up to six years in state prison if convicted as charged, according to the District Attorney's Office.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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