2 Face Charges in Girl’s Death on 101
Two Thousand Oaks teenagers have been charged with providing hallucinogenic mushrooms to a friend who was struck and killed as she walked disoriented down the Ventura Freeway, authorities said Saturday.
Brian Mitchell, 19, was charged with involuntary manslaughter and furnishing a controlled substance to a minor, according to a spokesman for the Ventura County sheriff’s office. Alissa Ruef, 18, faces the latter charge.
The pair are accused in the death of Victoria Nugent, 17, of Newbury Park. Nugent was struck by a car as she wandered unclothed along the freeway about 3 a.m. Aug. 15, according to police reports. No charges were filed against the driver.
Nugent, who was known to friends as “Tia,†was to enter San Diego State University. She was a recent graduate of Newbury Park High School, where she had been captain of the junior varsity volleyball team and played other sports.
The pair pleaded not guilty Friday, according to prosecutors. A preliminary hearing has been set for Sept. 17.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
