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Driver charged with manslaughter in death of teacher
• Bicyclist Michelle Mazzei was killed by a car that drifted into the bike lane on Woodside Road.

The driver of a car that killed bicyclist and Menlo Park teacher Michelle Mazzei, 34, on October 2 faces one count of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence.

Theodore Charles Thornbrough, 68, entered a plea of not guilty March 6, through his attorney, Brendan Conroy of San Francisco. Mr. Thornbrough, who was visiting the area from Colorado at the time of the accident, did not appear in court.

The charge carries a penalty of up to one year in county jail.

The accident occurred on westbound Woodside Road near the entrance to northbound Interstate 280. Mr. Thornbrough was on his way to San Francisco, searching for the onramp and a pay phone. His Mercdes veered to the right, out of the slow lane and into the bike lane where Ms. Mazzei was riding.

An accomplished cyclist and triathlete, Ms. Mazzei was wearing a helmet but died of massive injuries.

There was no evidence that Mr. Thornbrough was speeding or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, said Steve Wagstaffe, chief deputy district attorney for San Mateo County.

"We had a person who failed to drive in a safe manner," said Mr. Wagstaffe.

Described by authorities at the accident scene as extremely upset and remorseful, Mr. Thornbrough remains out of custody on his own recognizance.

Ms. Mazzei was a popular fourth-grade teacher at Oak Knoll School in Menlo Park. She was taking a Sunday morning bike ride along a route on Woodside Road that she had ridden many times before.

Friends and family have established a fund in her honor with the Environmental Volunteers, a nonprofit education group that offer environmental programs to students and teachers in local schools.

Ms. Mazzei was going through a teacher certificate training program with the organization at the time of the accident. More than 170 people have contributed to the fund that now totals $17,000.

The complaint against Mr. Thornbrough was filed by the district attorney's office February 6 after an investigation of the accident by the Sheriff's Office.

The case is expected back in court at 9 a.m. Thursday, April 6, to set dates for pretrial conferences and a jury trial.