An 18-year-old man accused of causing a freeway crash in Escondido that killed a child riding in another car pleaded not guilty Thursday to felony charges of gross negligent vehicular manslaughter and reckless driving causing serious injury.
Amador Michel Jr. — who is free on $70,000 bail — faces nearly seven years in prison if convicted of charges stemming from the Feb. 21 crash, said Deputy District Attorney Claudia Plascencia.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the 11-year-old victim and his family were in a Chevrolet Trailblazer on northbound Interstate 15, south of Gopher Canyon Road, when Michel’s Dodge Challenger hit the SUV from behind around 9:30 p.m.
The impact caused the Trailblazer to veer into the center divider and roll over several times. Stephen Lemelle was ejected from the backseat, suffered a traumatic head injury, and died at the scene.
Four other people in the Trailblazer — including the victim’s 13-year- old sister — suffered moderate injuries, according to the CHP.
Michel will be back in court Sept. 8 for a readiness conference and Oct. 13 for a preliminary hearing.
–City News Service