DRIVER PLEADS NOT GUILTY IN DEATH OF 14-YEAR-OLD

The driver of a car that struck and killed a 14-year-old Mendocino girl

last month pleaded not guilty Monday to felony vehicular manslaughter and

drunken driving charges.

Jeffrey Austin Dilbeck, 30, was driving drown a darkened road in Casper

when he came upon Jenny Gealey and four other friends.

He later told authorities he had seen Gealey's friends in the road but had

not seen Gealey.

The Mendocino County District Attorney's Office filed charges against

Dilbeck after results from a blood alcohol test showed his blood-alcohol level

was .05 percent two or three hours after the accident.

Prosecutors believe Dilbeck's alcohol level was at or above the legal limit

of .08 at the time of the crash.

Dilbeck, who is out of custody, was ordered to return Aug. 10 to Ten Mile

Justice Court for a preliminary hearing to determine whether there is enough

evidence to try him on the charges.