An Agua Dulce man has been charged with vehicular manslaughter after an alleged single-vehicle DUI crash in Stevenson Ranch killed one and injured two others, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday.
Sponsored Articles
Michael Blake Palazzola plead not guilty on Wednesday to one felony count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and two felony counts of driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage causing injury.
He is due back on March 10 in Department S of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, San Fernando Branch.
Palazzola is accused of being under the influence when he crashed near the intersection of Stevenson Ranch Parkway and Pico Canyon Road in Stevenson Ranch on Jan. 16, prosecutors said.
Previous Story: Victim Of Fatal Suspected DUI Crash In Stevenson Ranch Identified
The defendant was allegedly driving Steven Richard Kirk’s vehicle, who was riding as a passenger and died as a result of the crash, prosecutors added. Two women in the vehicle also were injured but survived.
If convicted as charged, Palazzola faces a possible maximum sentence of 18 years in state prison.
His bail has been set at $360,000.
The case remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol, Newhall Station.
Ed. Note: The following article is a news release provided by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or drop us a line at community@hometownstation.com.