Judge Denies Diversion for Driver in Fatal Elk Grove Motorcycle Crash on Sheldon Road

A Sacramento County judge on Wednesday denied a request for diversion from the driver charged in the death of Connor Lopez, a 23-year-old motorcyclist killed on Sheldon Road in Elk Grove, clearing the way for the case to go to trial.

Harjit Kaur is charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter and has pleaded not guilty. Diversion could have allowed her to avoid a criminal conviction by completing court-ordered requirements. Sacramento Superior Court Judge Joseph Cress denied the request on October 7, saying, "This is a case in which criminal prosecution is appropriate," according to the Sacramento Bee. Trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 2.

What Happened on Sheldon Road

According to KCRA, Lopez was riding his motorcycle eastbound on Sheldon Road in April 2025 when Kaur made a left turn across the eastbound lanes and hit him. He was taken to a hospital, where he died.

At the hearing, Kaur's attorney argued she met the criteria for diversion, has no criminal record, and is remorseful. Prosecutors argued she showed no remorse, pointing to reports that she did not get out of her vehicle to check on Lopez while bystanders tried to help him. The judge agreed with the prosecution.

"Diversion should never be an option for vehicular manslaughter," Allison Lyman, Connor's mother, told KCRA after the ruling. CBS Sacramento reported that Assemblymember Lori Wilson supports legislation to limit diversion in vehicular manslaughter cases.

Left-Turn Crashes and Motorcycle Riders

A driver turning left across oncoming traffic is one of the most common causes of serious motorcycle crashes. Motorcycles have a narrow profile, and drivers often misjudge how fast a rider is approaching or fail to see the bike at all. California Vehicle Code section 21801 requires a driver turning left to yield to oncoming vehicles that are close enough to be a hazard.

Riders also face a second problem after a crash: insurers sometimes assume the motorcyclist was speeding or at fault. Witness statements, scene photos, video, and the investigating agency's report often decide how fault is assigned.

Criminal Charges Do Not Decide a Civil Claim

Whatever happens in the criminal case, a family can pursue a separate civil claim for a loved one's death. Civil cases use a lower standard of proof than criminal cases, and they focus on compensation for the family's losses rather than punishment. California generally allows two years from the date of death to file a wrongful-death claim.