The Urbana Police Department arrested James L. Buford on Monday for the fatal Dec. 20 hit-and-run traffic crash at the corner of Green Street and Mathews Avenue, which killed a 22-year-old pedestrian from Urbana.
Buford, a 31-year-old resident of Rantoul, Illinois, is charged with three felonies, including leaving the scene of an accident with a fatality, reckless homicide, wrong way on a one-way and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, according to a UPD press release.
He was arraigned Tuesday and entered a not guilty plea, requesting a trial by jury, court records show. His next court date, a pre-trial conference, is scheduled for Jan. 27.
In the early hours of Dec. 20, the driver of a red Buick was traveling northbound on a southbound one-way and struck a UIPD squad car. The collision injured the UIPD officer and sent the Buick onto a nearby sidewalk, injuring Ororo Taylor, a pedestrian, who died later that day from injuries sustained in the crash. The driver of the Buick fled the scene on foot.
The release noted that all individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
