WOODLAND — The attorney for the man accused of causing a drunken-driving crash in Winters that critically injured his girlfriend says his client is “completely distraught” about the incident.
“This is a really tragic event,” defense lawyer Steven Sabbadini said following an arraignment hearing Wednesday for 30-year-old Nicholas Anthony Kershner, who pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of DUI causing injury. “His thoughts and prayers are with Brooke.”
Nicholas Anthony Kershner. Courtesy photo
Brooke Lindsay McNeill, 31, of Davis, remains in the intensive-care unit at Kaiser Vacaville hospital, where Winters Police Chief John Miller said she was admitted with head trauma, internal injuries and multiple fractures following the Saturday night crash.
Her condition remained unchanged as of Wednesday, Miller said.
Kershner, who according to Sabbadini shared an apartment with McNeill in Davis, reportedly was traveling southbound on Railroad Avenue at speeds over 70 mph and had run a red light when his Ford F-150 sideswiped a light pole, the impact shearing the passenger side off the truck.
McNeill, who had been sitting in the passenger seat, was pinned in the back seat of the truck and had to be extricated from the wreckage, Miller said. The collision occurred among numerous pedestrians celebrating the tail end of Winters’ Youth Day festivities.
Due to the extent of McNeill’s injuries, Kershner’s bail was enhanced from $50,000 to $1 million, an amount Sabbadini plans to contest at a May 15 bail hearing.
Yolo Superior Court Commissioner Kent O’Mara also scheduled a May 19 preliminary hearing and granted prosecutors’ request for a protective order prohibiting Kershner from having any contact with McNeill.
Sabbadini indicated in court he may challenge that order as well.
The felony DUI charge carries two enhancements alleging that Kershner inflicted great bodily injury and refused to take a chemical test following his arrest in order for authorities determine his blood-alcohol content.
But according to Sabbadini, officers initially did not provide a formal admonition regarding the test to Kershner, who “after receiving the appropriate admonition did not refuse,” he said.
Yolo County court records show no prior DUI offenses for Kershner. He was charged with domestic violence and possessing illegal fireworks in 2006, but both cases ultimately were dismissed.
— Reach Lauren Keene at lkeene@davisenterprise.net or 530-747-8048. Follow her on Twitter at @laurenkeene