COLUMBIA CITY - An initial hearing was held Tuesday morning for a North Manchester teen charged with reckless homicide.
Daniel L. Knecht, 19, CR 1000N, North Manchester, is facing three felony counts and a misdemeanor charge following a May 23 accident.
Knecht is accused of hitting a telephone pole with his 2000 Black Audi 4S on Ind. 14 between CRs 700E and 800E in Whitley County, causing an electric line to dangle over the roadway around 11:48 p.m. Knecht allegedly then left the scene of the accident.
A short time after the accident, a motorcycle ridden by William C. Brisentine, 38, and Nikki Alford, 29, both of Columbia City, struck the electric line, causing the loss of control of the motorcycle.
Alford died Thursday from injuries sustained in the accident.
Brisentine was rushed to Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne, where he was treated and released.
Knecht faces four charges, including causing the death of another person while operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol greater than .08, a class C felony; causing the death of another person while operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, a class C felony; reckless homicide, a class C felony; and possession of alcohol by a minor, a class C misdemeanor.
During Tuesday's hearing, Knecht was advised of his rights, and a pre-trial conference was scheduled in four weeks, according to Whitley County Prosecuting Attorney Matt Rentschler. Knecht advised the court he will seek his own legal counsel.
Knecht currently is out on bond after his bail was set at $83,500.
