LAKEPORT ? A Kelseyville man accused of gross vehicular manslaughter for his role in the hit-and-run collision that resulted in the death of local restaurant owner Zino Mezoui appeared in court Wednesday for preliminary hearing scheduling.
James Nightingale, 30, faces three charges in connection with the Sept. 24 incident, including felony vehicular manslaughter, felony hit-and-run and a misdemeanor charge of driving on a suspended license.
Nightingale pleaded not guilty to all charges on Oct. 8.
Authorities allege that on the morning of Sept. 24, Nightingale drove his blue Suburban through a stop sign, collided with Mezoui”s green Honda motorcycle on Highway 29 near Seigler Canyon Road and then left the scene of the incident.
Mezoui, who owned Zino”s Ristorante and Inn in Soda Bay, died as a result of injuries sustained in the collision.
Nightingale voluntarily surrendered to authorities on Sept. 29.
Judge Andrew Blum Wednesday granted the prosecution”s request to continue the start of the preliminary hearing until December. The preliminary hearing was scheduled to begin Nov. 30.
The one-day preliminary hearing is scheduled to take place on Dec. 7 at 8:15 a.m.
Nightingale, who remains in custody at the Lake County Jail, will next appear in court Dec. 3 for trial assignment.
Contact Jeremy Walsh at jwalsh@record-bee.com or call him at 263-5636, ext. 37.
