Kristina Alexander, 52, pleaded not guilty Sept. 14 to three counts of aggravated vehicular homicide in the Orange Township crash that killed three people on U.S. 23.

Alexander appeared in Delaware County Court of Common Pleas, where she also faces one count of vehicular assault, 10TV reported. A jury trial is set to begin Dec. 1.

The charges stem from a three-vehicle crash on Aug. 13, 2025, at the intersection of U.S. 23 and State Route 750, according to NBC4. Alexander was driving south in a 2018 Dodge Ram just after 8:30 p.m. when she veered left of center approaching SR 750. She struck a 2021 Toyota Venza head-on, then ricocheted into a 2025 Honda Accord before coming to rest against the east guardrail. Her vehicle and the Honda erupted into flames.

Two passengers in the Toyota, Carol Waldman, 64, and Amanda Reidling, 54, died at the scene. A third passenger, Joseph Reidling, 56, was hospitalized with serious injuries and died about three months later, according to NBC4.

A Lewis Center man and an 8-year-old passenger were also injured and treated at the scene. Alexander was hospitalized with serious injuries but has since recovered.

Alcohol, cocaine and prior OVI convictions

A search warrant states Alexander admitted to consuming alcohol the night of the crash, according to 10TV. A blood toxicology exam also showed she tested positive for cocaine, according to an Ohio Department of Public Safety traffic report cited by NBC4.

During the Sept. 14 hearing, a prosecutor told the court Alexander has three prior OVI (operating a vehicle while impaired) convictions, all from 2017. One was in Delaware County and two were in Franklin County, according to 10TV.

Victim's daughter speaks before hearing

Before the arraignment, Ashlie Gallagher, daughter of Amanda Reidling and stepdaughter of Joseph Reidling, spoke with 10TV about the loss of her mother and stepfather.

"I called my mom every single day, every time I got in the car just to talk about life. And now every time I get in the car, I just cry because I don't even know what to do anymore because I can't just call her," Gallagher said.

Gallagher described arriving at the crash scene the night it happened, telling 10TV the intersection "was just lit up, like everywhere." She said she thinks about the loss every day.