The woman accused in the February dragging death of a Colorado Springs tow-truck driver pleaded not guilty Friday in 4th Judicial District Court.Detra Dione Farries, 33, faces 11 charges in the Feb. 23 death of Allen Lew Rose, including manslaughter, vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident, all felonies. Farries could spend up to 12 years in prison if she is convicted of the hit-and-run charge.

Fourth Judicial District Judge Jann DuBois set Farries’s trial for Nov. 7 and granted the defense attorney’s request to lower Farries’s bond from $50,000 to $25,000.

Farries’ public defender Eydie Elkins appealed for lower bail so that Farries can bond out and care for her eight children, all of whom are under 18. As of midday Friday, Farries remained in the El Paso County jail.

Rose, the co-owner of J & J Towing in Colorado Springs, was attempting to tow an illegally parked GMC sport utility vehicle at an east-side apartment complex where Farries was staying when someone jumped inside the SUV and sped away, authorities said.

According to witnesses, Rose was chasing after the fleeing vehicle when his legs were snagged by a cable trailing the SUV. He was dragged for more than a mile along East Platte Avenue before he came loose.

The Iraq war veteran died at Memorial Hospital.

Farries was caught several blocks away and was arrested two days later on suspicion of recklessly causing Rose’s death. According to police, Farries told investigators she was unaware Rose was being dragged behind her vehicle because of missing mirrors and belongings piled up in the back that obstructed her view.

Scores of tow-truck drivers from around the state and hundreds of local residents attended a candlelight vigil for Rose at the spot where he was found in the road.

His death led to the passage of a law that took effect this month making it a crime to enter a vehicle on which a tow-truck driver has placed a sign stating the vehicle is being towed.

Detra Farries Photo by