Share and Follow
Background: News footage of the Taco Bell in Manchester, N.H., where Juliana Harbeck was killed (WMUR). Inset: Maria Camila Posada Canizales (Manchester Police Department).
A New Hampshire woman was arrested after she allegedly hit and killed a pedestrian with her car in a Taco Bell parking lot.
Maria Camila Posada Canizales, 27, was charged with felony conduct after an accident in connection with the death of 60-year-old Juliana Harbeck on Sept. 17. According to the Manchester Police Department, Canizales was behind the wheel when she struck Harbeck and fled the scene. Harbeck was taken to a nearby hospital, where she later died of her injuries.
Canizales turned herself in on Monday. When police interviewed her, she offered a different account of the incident.
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by local ABC affiliate WMUR, Canizales was in her car in the Taco Bell parking lot when Harbeck approached her on foot. Canizales told police that Harbeck asked her if she wanted to buy cigarettes. When Canizales took out her cash, which included her rent money, she told police that Harbeck allegedly grabbed at the cash and would not let go.
Canizales told police that a struggle between the two women ensued, and she admitted to driving off while panicking. She told police she did not realize she had run over Harbeck.
Police also interviewed Harbeck”s boyfriend, who was in another car with Harbeck when she got out after telling him that she recognized someone in the parking lot. According to the affidavit, Harbeck’s boyfriend saw the alleged altercation between Harbeck and Canizales, telling police that he saw his girlfriend being pulled into the other car and punched by the driver.
Upon seeing the alleged altercation, Harbeck’s boyfriend got out of the car to help. He told police that he tried to pull Harbeck away from the fight, and Canizales shifted the car into gear, causing Harbeck to fall to the ground. While Harbeck was down, Canizales allegedly put the car in reverse and backed over the older woman before driving away.
Police interviewed several witnesses to the alleged altercation, who were able to provide the license plate number for Canizales’ vehicle. According to the affidavit, police went to the home address registered to the car, but no one answered the door.
Canizales was set to be held in custody until her court appearance on Tuesday.