BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A 25-year-old man accused of driving drunk and speeding in a crash that killed a Delano woman and left another woman on life support, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges including murder and gross vehicular manslaughter.
Arturo Munoz faces seven felony counts and one misdemeanor count in connection with last week’s crash in south Bakersfield. If convicted as charged, he faces a life term in prison.
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Hortencia Garcia De Haro, 30, died at the scene of Friday night’s crash on Planz Road, between Hughes Lane and South H Street.
Police say Munoz drove a Chevy Tahoe that collided with a Chevy Malibu driven by Haro.
Another woman, passenger in the Malibu, suffered serious injuries, and prosecutor Kacie Barrier said it’s anticipated she will be removed from life support within the next 48 hours.
In asking Judge Colette M. Humphrey to set no bail for Munoz, Barrier noted he has three prior drunken driving convictions, and was traveling faster than 85 mph at the time of the crash.