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Crime & Safety

Prelim Set For Accused DUI Killer

Dennis Dallas Leffew, 43, is charged in the death of a 19-year-old collegiate basketball player.

An accused DUI killer will find out next month if he'll be tried on multiple felony charges for his role in a collision that snuffed out the life of a collegiate basketball player.

Dennis Dallas Leffew, 43, faces four felony charges including vehicular manslaughter. On Thursday, Commissioner Elizabeth Hill set his preliminary hearing for July 9.

An intoxicated Leffew was driving southbound on the 101 Freeway north of the Millbrae Avenue exit when he plowed into a stopped vehicle, prosecutors said.

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Andrel Norcel Gaines was among four passengers in a car that came to rest in the middle lane after the driver crashed into the center divider swerving to avoid a tire, prosecutors said.

The collision left Gaines on life support with major injuries. He died within two weeks of the collision. All four passengers suffered significant injuries.  

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Leffew suffered minor injuries.

A blood sample taken after the accident revealed Leffew had a .12 blood alcohol level, about 50 percent over the legal limit (.08), prosecutors said.

Gaines was a standout point guard at Gilroy High who went on to play at Gavilan College.

His uncle, Anthony Avila, read Gaines' obituary during a attended by nearly 1,000 mourners.

“His unselfishness was on display every time he stepped onto the court,” Avila read. “In many eyes, Andrel may have been just another ball player, but in our eyes, Andrel will always be remembered as a legend.”

Leffew is in custody on $250,000 bail.

 

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