According to a recent article in The Los Angeles Times, a man from the city of Orange is on trial for his alleged role in a crash in May that took the life of a Newport Beach man.
Court documents indicate that 31-year-old Tyler Pitchford was arrested Tuesday, June 28, immediately following his release from the hospital, where he had been recuperating from injuries related to the deadly crash.
Sgt. Phil McMullin of the Orange Police Department told reporters that on May 20, at approximately 10:29 a.m., officers responded to a crash at the intersection of Taft Avenue and Tustin Street.
Investigators say that Pitchford had been heading northbound on Tustin Street when he blew through a red light and collided with a Porsche being driven by a 59-year-old Newport Beach man who was turning south at a green light.
Paramedics responding to the scene declared the driver of the Porsche dead at the scene.
Following their investigation, authorities allege that Pitchford had been driving under the influence of multiple narcotics, including fentanyl‌.
At his court appearance on Wednesday, June 29, Pitchford pleads not guilty to the charge of DUI murder. A judge has set his bail at $830,000. He is currently in custody.
Pitchford is next due to appear in court for a pre-trial settlement conference and bail review on July 20.
