Published: October 30, 2007 12:17 pm      

NEW – Altoona woman pleads in Patton traffic fatality

EBENSBURG — An Altoona woman pleaded no contest Tuesday to two charges in an accident in which one child died and another was seriously injured as they were enroute to a drive-in near Carrolltown.

Leslie Ann Tiedt, 27, entered the pleas to felony charges of being involved in an accident involving death or serious bodily injury through her negligence.

Nine-year-old Courtney Bliss of Duncansville died in the accident, and Brandon Kuhns, now 11, of Altoona, was seriously injured.

Tiedt’s plea came just before jury selection was to begin for her trial on charges of vehicular homicide, involuntary manslaughter and related offenses.

She was returned to the county jail in lieu of bond to await sentencing Dec. 21.