DeKALB | The Sycamore woman charged with the death of an NIU student and her boyfriend in April pleaded not guilty at an arraignment hearing Monday.

During an arraignment hearing, formal charges are read to the defendant, who may also enter a plea of guilty or not guilty at that time.

Patricia L. Schmidt, 46, of Sycamore, has been charged with reckless homicide, aggravated reckless driving and aggravated driving under the influence of drugs, said Phil Montgomery, DeKalb County Assistant State’s Attorney. According to an article in the Daily Chronicle Tuesday, the drugs present in Schmidt’s system are commonly used to treat anxiety and depression. The article states Schmidt was under the influence of lorazepam, phenobarbital, mephobarbital, propranolol, venlafaxine and norvenlafaxine at the time of the accident, according to results from an Illinois State Police crime lab analysis of Schmidt’s blood.

Montgomery declined to comment on the specific substances the prosecution believes Schmidt had in her system at the time of the incident, but stated the prosecution has a report from the Illinois State Police crime lab indicating specific substances.

Schmidt was driving a Ford pickup truck southbound on Route 23 at about 5:30 p.m., April 7 when she collided with a Pontiac heading eastbound on Plank Road. The Pontiac was driven by NIU student Alexis “Lexi” Weber, 21, of Maple Park, and her boyfriend, Timothy T. Getzelman, 21, of Sycamore.

Weber was an elementary education major on track to graduate in December 2011.

Sycamore Police Lt. Darrell Johnson said police determined Schmidt was at fault in the collision since the other vehicle appeared to have the right-of-way. Weather conditions were clear at the time of the accident, but changed later, Johnson said.

Montgomery said Schmidt’s next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 2 for filing pre-trial motions and trial is set to begin Dec. 12.