Singer Pleads No Contest in Crash Death

Singer Luther Vandross pleaded no contest to a charge of reckless driving and was placed on probation Tuesday, ending his vehicular manslaughter trial in Van Nuys Municipal Court.

In a plea bargain with prosecutors, Vandross, 35, who has homes in New York and Los Angeles, agreed to donate the proceeds of a concert to a scholarship fund in memory of Lawrence Salvemini, a friend of Vandross who died in the Jan. 12 collision. Four others were injured in the three-car crash on Laurel Canyon Boulevard in Studio City.

The prosecutor said he agreed to dismiss the more serious vehicular manslaughter charge because he wanted to spare Salvemini’s family the emotional ordeal of a trial. Attorneys were in the second day of jury selection when the plea bargain was reached.

“I’m just hoping that he is a compassionate man and realizes the gravity of what he did,” Deputy City. Atty. John C. Rocke said of Vandross.

Police allege that Vandross was driving 50 m.p.h. in a 35 m.p.h. zone when his Mercedes-Benz crossed the center line of the roadway, between Mulholland Drive and Ventura Boulevard, and smashed into two oncoming cars.

The rhythm and blues vocalist was charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter and reckless driving and could have faced 1 1/2 years in County Jail if convicted of both charges.

Instead, Judge Aviva K. Bobb placed Vandross on one year’s probation and ordered him to perform a concert within the year in New York or California and donate the net revenues to a scholarship fund established by the Salvemini family. The donation must exceed $2,000, according to the court order.

Joe Salvemini, brother of the victim, said the money will be used to further the education and careers of aspiring entertainers at Bellport High School in Long Island, N.Y., where Lawrence Salvemini was graduated. Lawrence Salvemini, 27, of West Hollywood was an entertainment manager, his brother said.

Vandross’ attorneys said they were prepared to argue at trial that the accident resulted from hazardous road conditions, not Vandross’ negligence. Defense experts would have testified that the singer was traveling no more than 45 m.p.h., defense attorney L. Peter Parcher said.

The no-contest plea is not an admission of responsibility and cannot be used against Vandross in any civil suit arising from the collision. Joe Salvemini said his family intends to file a wrongful death action within the next several weeks.