MOUNT VERNON, Wash. — The 19-year-old man who police say was driving high and drunk at the time of a deadly head-on crash pleaded not guilty Thursday in a Skagit County courtroom.
Alfredo Navarro faces three counts of vehicular homicide and one count of vehicular assault for the crash last month.
He was brought into court in a wheelchair and was wearing a neck brace.
Police said he slammed head-on into a car, killing its driver, 65-year-old Fred Brand, as well as two passengers in Navarro’s car -- Nicole Washington and Megan Brown, on State Route 20, just outside Sedro-Woolley.
A third passenger in Navarro’s car, 22-year-old Quinnton Baxter, survived the crash with serious injuries.
The judge set Navarro’s bail at $1 million.
Police also said Navarro disappeared from Harborview Medical Center and caused a manhunt that eventually led to the issue of $1 million warrant.
Navarro was jailed after a tip came in that he had returned to the hospital for treatment.
Navarro’s family members did not want to speak after court, but the mother of victim Megan Brown did.
"I would have loved to look him in the eye," said Julie Orestad.
Orestad said her worst fear is that Navarro has no remorse.
"He'll never be able to think like I do. I'm devastated," said Orestad.
Navarro's bail hearing is set for next Thursday.
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