The Times of San Diego reports that a 29-year-old motorcyclist who is suspected of DUI in a fatal crash in Carlsbad in August has pleaded not guilty in court on Tuesday, October 11.
According to documents filed with the court, Eric Monte Burns is accused of a crash that happened on August 15, killing a 69-year-old male bicyclist and injuring his 22-year-old female passenger.
The Carlsbad Police Department said in a statement that the incident began on August 15 at approximately 1:10 p.m. when state park rangers attempted to stop Burns, who had been spotted speeding and driving recklessly. Burns sped away northbound on Carlsbad Boulevard and crashed into a bicyclist near Palomar Airport Road.
The man died at the scene despite all the life-saving efforts by first responders.
Burns is charged with DUI, gross vehicular manslaughter, felony evading, causing injury, DUI causing serious injury, and causing great bodily injury and/or death to the victim and his passenger.
Court documents indicate that Burns was being held without bond at the Vista jail facility.
In Superior Court in Vista on Tuesday, Burns pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. Authorities have not released further information about when Burns’ trial will be held.
