San Diego executive says she killed bride-to-be, 27, in hit-and-run because she was so distressed by recent deadly mosque shooting

By WILL POTTER, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 18:17, 3 June 2026 | Updated: 18:22, 3 June 2026 A San Diego county executive says she accidentally killed a bride-to-be in a horror hit-and-run because she was so distraught over a shooting at a mosque in the city last month.  Assmaa Elayyat pleaded not guilty to vehicular manslaughter charges at her arraignment on Monday, as prosecutors accused her of mowing down 27-year-old Katie Osorio at a bus stop on May 22.  The tragedy unfolded three days after two teenagers opened fire at the Islamic Center of San Diego, killing three people before turning their weapons on themselves.  Elayyat allegedly accelerated her car through a bus stop, and prosecutors said she told police after the crash that she was devastated by the shooting at the time, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.  She allegedly hit the bus stop with such force that her car got stuck up a tree, before she almost ran over Osorio a second time when trying to free her vehicle, prosecutors said.  San Diego County District Deputy Attorney Hailey Williams said Elayyat 'knew that she struck something and even pulled over after the collision to confirm that there was extensive damage to her car.' Osorio was transported to a nearby hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.  At her arraignment, an attorney for Elayyat - who serves as deputy director with the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency - said she was suffering from 'stress and emotions' from the shooting.  Katie Osorio, 27, was tragically killed in an alleged hit-and-run at a bus stop in San Diego on May 22  Assmaa Elayyat, deputy director with the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency, told investigators that she was devastated by a shooting at a mosque in the city when she was questioned over the alleged hit-and-run  Elayyat allegedly accelerated her car through a bus stop with such force that her car got stuck up a tree, before she almost ran over Osorio a second time when trying to free her vehicle, prosecutors said Williams alleged that despite the severe crash, Elayyat tried to flee the scene when she reversed her car from the tree. 'She decided that she needed to get herself home to safety rather than return to the scene or take responsibility for her actions,' the prosecutor said.  Elayyat was found soon after the crash as police used license plate readers to track her down, but she then allegedly tried to make another getaway.  Prosecutors said Elayyat tried to flee police by driving away from them, before she eventually surrendered.  When she was questioned by police, she allegedly said she 'could not recall the collision, but admitted she may have struck a sign.'  She then allegedly said she was extremely upset about the mosque shooting, an excuse that Osorio's family members slammed at her arraignment this week. 'To use a tragic event as an excuse… people lost their lives at the mosque,' Osorio's aunt Dulce Amaya told the Union-Tribune.  To use that excuse to keep herself at home… Katie will never come home.' Osorio's family said the 27-year-old 'worked tirelessly to support her mother in Mexico', and held down two jobs while also managing a business to make ends meet for her loved ones Osorio's family said in a touching tribute that 'her determination, strength, and love for her family touched everyone who knew her' The crash was not Elayyat's first brush with the law, and the San Diego county executive was previously convicted of a misdemeanor DUI in San Bernadino County, per court records cited by the New York Post. A GoFundMe set up by Osorio's family said the 27-year-old 'worked tirelessly to support her mother in Mexico', and held down two jobs while also managing a business to make ends meet for her loved ones.  'Her determination, strength, and love for her family touched everyone who knew her,' the family wrote. They said following the alleged hit-and-run, she 'fought bravely to stay alive, but sadly, she passed away.' 'Our family is devastated by this sudden loss, and we are doing everything we can to honor her memory and support her loved ones during this heartbreaking time.' In a statement from San Diego County, where Elayyat has worked since 2020, officials said: 'Our hearts go out to the family, friends, and all who are grieving during this incredibly difficult time.'  Elayyat faces up to 11 years behind bars if convicted on charges of vehicular manslaughter with special allegations of gross negligence.    No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? 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