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.
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