KGET News in Bakersfield reports that an alleged DUI motorist was traveling over 100 miles per hour when he struck another vehicle and killed a 66-year-old woman.
The crash happened on April 25 in the 10800 block of Campus Park Drive when 18-year-old Karim Reyad veered his 2019 Dodge Charger Hellcat into the victim’s 2018 Honda Civic hatchback.
Bakersfield Police officers and paramedics responded to the crash. Despite all life-saving efforts to save the victim’s life, the woman died at the crash scene. Two others who were in the victim’s vehicle also suffered injuries.
Investigators estimate that Reyad was driving approximately 108 miles per hour when he struck the Honda. A toxicology test showed THC, the main phytochemical in marijuana, in Reyad’s system at the time of the crash.
Reyad was arrested on the charges of suspicion of second-degree murder, gross-vehicular manslaughter, suspicion of DUI, and other related charges. On Monday, May 22, Reyad pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
Prosecutor Tara Deal, who was at Reyad’s arraignment, told the court that Reyad had lost an arm in a crash he caused approximately one year ago and has had numerous warnings from law enforcement for his reckless driving habits and past incidents of impaired driving.
During Deal’s testimony, Reyad interrupted, “I wasn’t responsible for it,” he shouted. Deputies quieted Reyad, and Court Commissioner Roger H. Ponce Jr. warned the defendant to remain quiet and let his attorney speak for him. Reyes shook his head and smirked while the prosecutor continued her testimony.
Deal concluded by saying Reyad had prior DUI incidents and was an extreme danger to the community.
After hearing Deal’s testimony, Commissioner Ponce ordered Reyad to remain in custody without bail.
A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for June 5.
