BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) – A judge has ordered trial for a man accused of leading Bakersfield police on a vehicle chase that ended with the death of an officer who crashed his patrol car into a wall.
Thirty-two-year-old Julian Hernandez faces six felony charges, including second-degree murder and vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence.
Kern County Superior Court Judge Eric Bradshaw found Thursday there was enough evidence presented at the preliminary hearing for Hernandez to stand trial.
Photo credit: Burbank Leader
Investigators say Officer David Nelson died in a crash last month while chasing Hernandez, who sped off during a traffic stop. His fellow officers found Nelson in the crashed patrol car, which caught fire.
Defense attorneys argued that there was not sufficient evidence to prove Hernandez was aware that there was a high probability his actions would result in loss of life. The judge disagreed.
