Testimony began Tuesday in the trial of a woman accused of running over two nurses in her car.

In opening statements, George Laughrun, the defense attorney for Leah Walton, referred to what happened in August of 2010 as a "triangle of tragedy."

He said his client was distraught and had no malicious intent.

Police said Walton told them she was reaching down for a cigarette while driving down Craig Avenue, took her eyes off the road, and hit two women who had stepped out of White Oak Manor retirement and nursing home for a break.

One of the women, Susan Karabulut, was killed. The other, her best friend and co-worker, Lisa McIe, was severely injured.

McIe wiped away tears on the witness stand as she described coming back to consciousness minutes after being hit by the car.

"Terrible pain," she said, "and finding out that Susan was no longer here."

Karabulut was a wife and mother to a young daughter.

On Tuesday, McIe described her injuries, including massive internal bleeding; damage to her intestines and pelvis; a severed liver; and a broken hip, knee, and ankle.

"I just wanted to die," she said. "I wondered why I was still here."

Lava Jackson, a woman who lived across the street from White Oak Manor and heard the screech of the car and its impact, took the stand, crying at times.

She described trying to find Karabulut's pulse and then rushing to McIe's side.     

"She was bleeding but she was breathing," Jackson said. "I remember telling her just to -- hold on."

Members of Karabulut's family also cried.

Walton appeared to wipe away tears as well.

A third witness on the stand, Kristen Talbot, described Walton's shock and inability to help the victims.

"She just was like this the whole time," she said, covering her mouth with her hands. "'Oh my God, oh my God.'"

But Walton's attorney was also quick to point out her attempts to stop the car, quoting Talbot's statements to police back to her.

"'You could tell she was trying to slam on the brakes. As she did, the car kind of turned to the right a little bit,'-- is that a fair statement as to what you said?'" Laughrun asked her.

"Yes, sir," Talbot said.

Walton is facing involuntary manslaughter charges.

Court is expected to resume at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

On Thursday morning, the jurors are scheduled to be transported to the crash scene to view it for themselves.