Criminal charges were filed Thursday against a Kern County man who was allegedly drunk when he crashed his car in Palmdale last weekend, killing a 2-year-old Rosamond boy.

Devon Devere Dorsey, 26, pleaded not guilty to one felony count each of driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage causing injury and gross vehicular manslaughter and two felony counts of child abuse under circumstances or conditions likely to cause great bodily injury or death, along with a misdemeanor count of driving when privilege was suspended or revoked.

He was driving a 2006 Ford Fusion west on Avenue P last Sunday when, “for reasons yet to be determined,” he steered to the right and the car hit a raised dirt embankment and overturned on East Avenue P east of 240th Street East, ejecting the toddler, who was a passenger in the sedan, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Michael Bonner died at a hospital. His 23-year-old mother, Shonterra Dillard, and Mytia Bonner, 3, suffered moderate and minor injuries, respectively, authorities said. The passengers are not related to the driver, according to the CHP.

Dorsey, who suffered minor injuries in the crash, was arrested early Monday.

He was ordered to remain jailed in lieu of $200,000 bail pending his next appearance Dec. 9 in a Lancaster courtroom.

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