EASTHAMPTON – An Amherst man who is alleged to have fatally struck a woman with a school van was arraigned in Eastern Hampshire District Court on Monday.
Richard Fuhrman, 65, pleaded not guilty before Judge Bruce Melikian to one charge of negligent motor vehicle homicide and a civil infraction of failure to stop at a stop sign. He was released on his own recognizance, with the condition that he not operate a motor vehicle.
Fuhrman was charged in connection with the death of Eva Fenner, 88, an Amherst woman who was struck and killed on Sept. 11.
According to the Northwestern district attorney’s office, Fuhrman struck Fenner after exiting the Crocker Farm School at 280 West St. around 11 a.m. after not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign. Fenner was pronounced dead at the scene.
Fenner lived a short distance from the school at 188 West St. and was a regular walker in the neighborhood, according to neighbors interviewed earlier by the Gazette. A native of Germany, Fenner had lived at her Amherst home since 1964.
Fuhrman is set to appear in court next on Jan. 21 for a pre-trial conference. Assistant District Attorney Andrew Covington said that the case would stay in district court.
A conviction on the motor vehicle homicide charge, a misdemeanor, carries a maximum penalty of 2½ years in jail.
Bera Dunau can be reached at bdunau@gazettenet.com.
