Motion rejected in hit-and-run case

Trial is scheduled to start early next month for a Washington woman accused of killing two construction workers last year on U.S. Highway 59 south of Lawrence.

Ramona Morgan, 49, was back in court on Thursday one final time before her Sept. 2 jury trial.

Morgan is charged with two counts of second-degree murder and one count of aggravated battery.

She’s accused of driving through a construction zone in September 2007, hitting and killing the two workers and injuring a third.

Douglas County District Judge Paula Martin denied a final motion by the defense to dismiss the charges against Morgan. The defense contends the case is a violation of the double jeopardy clause.

Much of the evidence in the case has already been heard in Osage County, where Morgan was convicted on charges stemming from a police chase that followed the deadly hit-and-run accident.