A local woman has professed her innocence to a charge of vehicular homicide levied against her for the deaths of her mother and 4-year-old daughter.

Jacquelynne Michelle Cosper, 29, of Cullman was arrested Tuesday on a Cullman County grand jury indictment, which included a charge of vehicular homicide as well as charges of driving under the influence (DUI) and not using a child restraint.

“Although she is still grieving and trying to cope with the loss of her mother and daughter, Ms. Cosper asserts her innocence,” said Champ Crocker, Cosper’s defense attorney. “She looks forward to her day in court and to clearing her name.”

Cosper’s arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 26, at which time her trial date will be set, Crocker said.

Crocker declined to comment further on the case.

According to Alabama State Trooper reports, the deaths occurred on June 6 on County Road 1545 in Fairview. The victims were identified as Linda Pope, 50, and Raegan Walker, 4, both of Cullman County.

Obits printed in the June 9 edition of The Cullman Times identified Pope as Cosper’s mother and Walker as Cosper’s daughter.

The state trooper report, which was presented to the Cullman County district attorney’s office, states Cosper was driving her 2007 Ford southbound on County Road 1545 when she entered a curve at a high rate of speed, causing the vehicle to leave the roadway and rotate. The vehicle then hit a tree.

The report alleges Cosper was under the influence during the crash.

It is because of the DUI charge that Cosper was charged with vehicular homicide, said Assistant District Attorney Jeff Roberts, the prosecutor in the case.

“Homicide by vehicle is a special statute,” Roberts said. “If you violate any traffic law that is below a felony and cause a death, you can be charged with homicide by vehicle.”

* Patrick McCreless can be reached by e-mail at patrickm@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131 ext. 270.