Woman Held in DWI Death of Man in Wheelchair

Monday, Dec 8, 2008 | Updated 4:05 PM EDT

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Lauren Dean was driving in Coram when she struck the motorized wheelchair from behind on the shoulder of the road and then drove away, police say.

A Long Island woman has been accused of driving drunk when she ran over a man in a wheelchair and killed him.

Suffolk County police say Lauren Dean was driving in Coram (KOR'-uhm) shortly before 7 Sunday morning when she struck the motorized wheelchair from behind on the shoulder of the road and then drove away.

Police say the 24-year-old woman was apprehended a few miles away.

She pleaded not guilty Monday to driving while intoxicated, leaving the scene of an accident and driving with a suspended license. Bail was set at $450,000 bond or $150,000 cash.

Defense attorney Steven Politi said his client, who has no criminal record, "denies that she hit anybody."

Police say the name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of his family.