Manslaughter trial begins Monday

A man who is being tried for allegedly causing an accident in Huntington Beach that sent a Cal State Long Beach student and his car up in flames is expected to begin opening statements Monday.

Downey resident Kenneth John McNair, 22, is being tried for the death of 20-year-old Jose Pacheco after crashing into Pacheco’s car Nov. 16, 2008.

McNair is being charged with one felony of vehicular manslaughter by unlawful act with gross negligence while intoxicated and one misdemeanor count of driving without a valid license with a sentencing enhancement for fleeing the scene of a crime. He pleaded not guilty in March and is in custody at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange.

McNair drank at his house with a friend before taking a taxi cab to a local bar on the night of the accident, according to a news release from the Orange County district attorney’s office. He then took a cab home, but is accused of getting into his Honda sedan and driving to Sharkeez in Huntington Beach, where he drank several more drinks.

McNair then allegedly drove almost double the 45 mph speed limit on Goldenwest Street as he and a friend left the bar at 1:30 a.m. As McNair got to the intersection of Edinger Avenue and Goldenwest, he crashed into Pacheco and sideswiped another car waiting at the red light.

Pacheco’s Ford Mustang was pushed across the intersection and burst into flames. Police and witnesses were unable to rescue Pacheco from the fire and he died of thermal injuries.

McNair is accused of fleeing the scene on foot, but was arrested by Huntington Beach Police one block away. He allegedly had blood-shot, watery eyes, slurred speech and difficulty standing up. Almost two hours after the incident, McNair had a blood alcohol level of .25%, more than three times the legal limit.

Opening statements are expected to begin at 8:30 a.m. in Courtroom C-34 at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.

— Britney Barnes