LAKEPORT — The trial of a Kelseyville man charged with causing a fatal car crash more than three years ago is still on track to start next month, even after pretrial proceedings were postponed Monday.
Alejandro Aurelio Arias, 31, pleaded not guilty to four felonies, including second-degree murder, stemming from the Sept. 11, 2009 crash in Lakeport that killed Charlane Hill, 41.
Authorities allege Arias sped through a highway red light at about 100 mph and crashed into the car driven by Hill, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Her two passengers suffered injuries.
Arias appeared before Judge Arthur H. Mann Monday afternoon at the Lake County Courthouse for settlement and trial-readiness conferences, but the judge agreed to postpone the matters until next week as the defense weighs the prosecution”s offer to resolve the case.
The offer, which has not changed, is for Arias to plead to second-degree murder in exchange for the dismissal of the other charges, according to senior deputy district attorney John Langan.
The pretrial conferences will now take place Oct. 1.
The case is still set for trial Oct. 24. Arias remains in custody at the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Jeremy Walsh is a staff reporter for Lake County Publishing. Reach him at 263-5636, ext. 37 or jwalsh@record-bee.com. Follow him on Twitter, @JeremyDWalsh.
