KCK activist charged in fatal traffic crash is arrested after missing court date
A Kansas City, Kan., community activist charged with killing a teenage girl in a traffic crash earlier this year was back in jail Thursday after missing a court appearance.
A bench warrant was issued after Tamika Pledger failed to show up for a June 29 hearing in Wyandotte County District Court.
A judge revoked her $50,000 bond and set a new bond of $100,000.
On Thursday, Pledger was arrested after showing up at the courthouse for a scheduled preliminary hearing that had been canceled earlier in the week.
Pledger, 39, is charged with involuntary manslaughter and three counts of aggravated battery after her car struck a group of teenagers Jan. 30 in the 1300 block of Troup Avenue.
Tierra Smith, 17, of Raytown died from her injuries about a week after the crash.
Pledger has said the crash was an accident.
In early June, she was jailed for about a week after a judge found she had violated a bond condition by contacting victims’ families.
To reach Tony Rizzo, call 816-234-4435 or send email to trizzo@kcstar.com.
This story was originally published July 16, 2015 at 9:20 AM with the headline "KCK activist charged in fatal traffic crash is arrested after missing court date."