A convicted felon accused of causing a head-on collision that killed a 65-year-old woman while he was driving drunk in Mead Valley pleaded not guilty Friday to second-degree murder and other charges.
Lawrence Michael Dileva, 38, of Nuevo was arrested last month following a California Highway Patrol investigation into the death of Demiris Reid of Nuevo.
Along with murder, Dileva is charged with DUI gross vehicular manslaughter and a sentence-enhancing allegation of being a repeat DUI offender.
He was arraigned before Riverside County Superior Court Judge O.G. Magno, who scheduled a preliminary hearing for April 28 at the Riverside Hall of Justice and ordered that the defendant remain held on $1 million bail at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta.
Dileva allegedly killed Reid in the Jan. 28 three-vehicle crash on Cajalco Road, just east of Carpinus Drive, according to the CHP.
Officer Juan Quintero said the victim was westbound on Cajalco in a Chevrolet Equinox when Dileva’s Ford Explorer approached from the opposite direction, headed east.
“Dileva lost control of his vehicle and crossed the double yellow lines, colliding into the Chevy,” Quintero said.
He said a Honda Civic following close behind the Ford smashed into the rear of the SUV.
County fire crews reached the location, which is roughly two miles northwest of Perris, within a few minutes and extricated Reid from her car, attempting lifesaving measures, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The defendant was taken to Riverside University Medical Center in Moreno Valley for treatment of moderate injuries, from which he has since recovered. The Honda driver was not injured, Quintero said.
Court records show Dileva has prior convictions for DUI gross vehicular manslaughter, receiving a stolen vehicle, burglary and distribution of illegal drugs