SAN DIEGO, Calif. (CBS 8) - A suspected drunk driver is denying charges he struck and killed a pregnant woman on New Year's Day.
Joseph Anthony Venegas, 40, is being held on $200,000 bail Wednesday after pleading not guilty to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and two charges of DUI causing injury.
He is accused in the death of 21-year-old Elaina Luquis-Ortiz, who was six months pregnant, and seriously injuring two others.
Prosecutors say Venegas's SUV went off the 805 in the Webster area and slammed into a parked car on the side of the freeway.
His arraignment was delayed for 1 week while Venegas was placed on a medical hold.
According to prosecutor Corinne Miesfield, Venegas had a blood alcohol level of .25 - over three times the legal limit - when the crash happened.
