The trial of Janet Hinds, the woman who allegedly struck and killed Chattanooga police officer Nicholas Galinger with her car and fled the scene in 2019, began Monday before Hamilton County Criminal Court Judge Don Poole.
The jury includes 11 women and five men from Davidson County.
In his opening statement, prosecutor Cameron Williams said Galinger died because Janet Hinds had too much to drink that night and decided to drive. She was driving in the middle of the road faster than the 35 mph speed limit, and she didn’t attempt to brake before hitting Galinger, who was standing under a streetlight behind or near a reflective barrier.
She drove away without reporting the accident to the police, Williams said.
“All Janet Hinds had to do was get a ride home,” Williams said.