A 24-year-old man accused of causing a fatal crash last fall pleaded not guilty Monday to murder, vehicular manslaughter, drunken driving and other charges.
Juan Gabriel Rios of Perris is facing five felony counts: murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, two DUI counts and hit-and-run driving resulting in death or serious injury. The criminal complaint also includes an allegation that Rios personally inflicted great bodily injury during the commission of a crime.
About 11:15 p.m. on Nov. 7, Rios was allegedly driving drunk when he tried to get onto the San Bernardino (10) Freeway and crashed into another vehicle near the Rosemead Boulevard off-ramp.
Rios ran off after his vehicle crashed down an embankment, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Kit Ching Leung of Rosemead died of her injuries and her husband was hospitalized.
Rios, who remains jailed on $1.1 million bail, is due back in court Feb. 4, when a preliminary hearing date is expected to be set.
If convicted as charged, he faces 24 years to life in prison.
— City News Service