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| Speeding Blamed in Crash that Killed 'Mask' |
SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) -- Prosecutors say skid marks show a man charged in the death of mixed martial arts promoter Charles ``Mask'' Lewis Jr. was going more than 100 mph before crashing into Lewis' red Ferrari.
Deputy District Attorney Jason Baez said Tuesday that 53-year-old Jeffrey David Kirby was speeding when he lost control and crashed into Lewis' high-end sports car. Lewis died in the March 2009 wreck in Newport Beach.
Prosecutors say Kirby's blood-alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit two hours after the collision.
Defense attorney Mark Fredrick says Kirby had been drinking but blames Lewis for driving at a ``frightful'' speed that caused the wreck.
Kirby has pleaded not guilty to vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence while intoxicated.
Lewis was a pioneer in mixed martial arts, which combines wrestling, martial arts and boxing. He and friends sold T-shirts at local gyms and events before founding the clothing line TapouT in 1997.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) |
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