More details are emerging in the accident that happened last week involving a Tesla and a Chevy Tahoe. The accident killed a 10-year old girl and left her father and sister injured.
The prosecution revealed that the driver of the Chevy Tahoe, identified as 36-year-old Adam Kansas of San Clemente, had a prior DUI conviction.
Last Wednesday, Clemente was charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated with a prior conviction. He was also charged with three counts of driving under the influence of drugs and causing bodily injury. At the time of the accident, he was on probation for a previous DUI.
Prosecutors allege that Clemente was driving under the influence of cocaine and opiates at 9:20 a.m. last Monday when his 2013 Chevy Tahoe swerved over the yellow line into a carpool lane and struck the rear of the 2015 Tesla.
Authorities accuse Clemente of driving at speeds of 80 m.p.h. And making unsafe lane changes when the accident occurred. At the time of his arrest, police say that he was displaying signs of intoxication.
Last Wednesday, Clemente also made his first appearance in court where he pleaded not guilty to all charges. If convicted, he faces 41-years-to-life in prison.
In 2015, Clemente was convicted of driving under the influence in Los Angeles County. Additionally, he was convicted of first-degree burglary in the same county in 2014. That conviction was Clemente’s first strike under the state’s three-strikes law.
Clemente is being held in Orange County jail with a bond of $1 million. He has a hearing scheduled for today, August 25.
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