Shakov pleads not guilty

Diana Shakov, the Agoura Hills woman accused in the traffic death of a Westlake High School student, pleaded not guilty to vehicular manslaughter charges at her arraignment on Monday.

Shakov, 31, was arrested at her home last week and charged with gross vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in the May 1 traffic accident that resulted in the death of Nicole Johnson, 17.

Investigators said Shakov was driving between 60 and 67 mph when she failed to stop at a red light and slammed into the back of a car driven by Johnson, a high school senior.

Johnson suffered severe head injuries and was taken off life support three days after the accident.

Shakov suffered facial, chest and leg injuries and was released from the hospital.

If convicted, Shakov faces up to 10 years in state prison, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.

Shakov is free on $50,000 bail pending a court hearing July 14 and a preliminary hearing July 21, said Audrey Nafziger, prosecutor.