NEW BEDFORD — The motorist who struck another vehicle last week — killing the driver and seriously injuring her son, who was a passenger — was held without bail Tuesday afternoon in New Bedford District Court.

Not guilty pleas were entered for James R. Bennett-Werra, 21, of 41 Foundry St., South Easton, on charges of manslaughter, motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation, assault with a dangerous weapon, leaving the scene of an accident with personal injury, leaving the scene of an accident with death resulting, operating to endanger, failing to stop for police, speeding, failing to stop at a stop sign, a marked lanes violation and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, according to records in New Bedford District Court.

Bennett-Werra is transgender and identifies as female, going by the name of Jennaya or Janya Love.

Prosecutor Michael A. Cahillane requested the court hold Bennett-Werra without bail for a dangerousness hearing, but defense attorney Kevin J. Reddington said he is in agreement to hold his client without bail. The prosecutor agreed, and Judge Douglas J. Darnbrough ordered Bennett-Werra held without bail. Reddington has the right to argue bail at a later date.

At the request of Reddington, the judge recommended that Bennett-Werra be held awaiting trial in the transgender unit at the South Bay House of Correction, Boston. The defense attorney also said the transgender unit at the Dedham House of Correction would also be acceptable.

Later in an interview, Reddington said his client "had a problem" while being held at the Bristol County House of Correction. He did not explain the nature of the problem, but said it was not because of the staff at the Dartmouth facility.

The case was continued until May 22 in New Bedford District Court.

Bennett-Werra fled on foot after the crash at Tallman Street and Ashley Boulevard that killed Janet Murphy-Hebert, 68, and severely injured her son, Kyle Murphy, 38, both of New Bedford, court records say. The crash happened about 9:50 a.m. March 27. Bennett-Werra was arrested without incident about 5 p.m. Saturday in Pawtucket, R.I.

Kyle Murphy has been released from Rhode Island Hospital, according to a spokeswoman.

The suspect waived rendition in a Rhode Island court and was brought Tuesday to New Bedford District Court. Reddington said arrangements were underway for his client to surrender to authorities before the arrest.

Bennett-Werra received an 18-month sentence for assault and battery on a family or household member in December 2015 and a 2½-year sentence in March 2017 for carrying a dangerous weapon as part of a botched armed robbery and was placed on probation for five years.

The prosecutor said two days before the fatal crash Bennett-Werra cut off a probation bracelet, setting off a parole activation. A Fairhaven undercover vehicle pursued the suspect from the Walgreens in that town and into New Bedford on March 27.

The suspect, who was driving a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu rented by a friend, nearly struck a New Bedford police officer who was working a paid detail, the prosecutor said. Bennett-Werra continued traveling in New Bedford with the unmarked cruiser in pursuit.

Bennett-Werra was traveling west on Tallman Street and Murphy-Hebert's 2010 Toyota Corolla was going north on Ashley Boulevard, according to court documents. Bennett-Werra's car went through a stop sign while being pursued by Fairhaven police and collided with the passenger side of Murphy-Hebert's car.

Follow Curt Brown on Twitter @CurtBrown_SCT.