FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Family and friends of 15-year-old Juliani Moreno walked away from the Fresno County courthouse on Friday morning with a heavy heart, leaning on one another for support.

Moreno was hit and killed while crossing the street with his girlfriend at the intersection of Mendocino Avenue in Parlier on Tuesday.

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The driver, Tiffany Mercado, appeared in court for arraignment, where she pleaded not guilty to a new charge.

Prosecutor Stephen Ueltzen explained why a change was made.

“We received new information from the ongoing investigation,” he said. ‘We received it this morning. That caused us to amend the charges on this complaint to include a violation of Penal Code section 191.5, which is gross vehicle manslaughter while intoxicated.”

The new information was revealed in court by Ueltzen, confirming Mercado sped through the stop sign, going 80 to 100 miles per hour.

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After hitting Moreno, Mercado drove another 1,000 feet, crossing curbs, going through oncoming traffic and impacting businesses.

Ueltzen says Mercado also hid an important piece of evidence.

“Following the collision, the defendant was seen getting out of her vehicle, walking to her trunk, getting an item, throwing it and locking it in her trunk. Further investigation by the Parlier Police Department revealed that the item was an air duster can,” said Ueltzen.

The prosecutor went on to say that the investigation also revealed the can had been purchased on the same day as the crash and was halfway used.

“Inside of the that can is an intoxicating substance which is used for huffing or its intoxicating uses,” said Ueltzen.

The judge stated Mercado has an “extensive and violent criminal history.”

Meanwhile, the public defender said Mercado’s prior convictions are not DUI-related.

If convicted, Mercado could face up to 26 years in prison.

Mercado will remain in custody with no bail. Her next court appearances will be on March 18 and 25.

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