ROCKLAND, Maine — A 41-year-old Rockport man charged with manslaughter in connection with the January death of a pedestrian who was struck by his vehicle said he is not guilty of the crime.
Jeremy Stone pleaded not guilty Monday during a hearing in Knox County Unified Court before Judge Susan Sparaco.
Stone remains held without bail after police said he violated conditions of release by testing positive for marijuana. His attorney Andrew Wright said he may argue again for bail at a later point.
The next court appearance for Stone is scheduled for Oct. 16.
A Knox County grand jury indicted Stone earlier this month on charges of manslaughter, aggravated criminal operating under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident involving death and possessing improper plates. He faces up to 30 years in prison.
Police said Stone was driving drunk Jan. 30, when his Jeep Cherokee struck 35-year-old Daniel Cormier as he walked along Camden Street near Pizza Hut with two friends. Cormier was declared dead upon arrival at the local hospital. The friends were not injured. Stone left without stopping, according to police.
Officers were led to Stone by his ex-wife, who went to the crash scene and told police her husband had called her to say he had messed up and believed he had hit someone, according to an affidavit filed with the court by police. When officers went to a residence in Rockland to speak to Stone, he allegedly admitted he had struck something but was not sure what it was because it was raining and visibility was poor.
Stone said he did not stop because he panicked, as he had illegally attached false registration plates on his vehicle, according to the court document.
Stone told police he had consumed three drinks of rum and ginger ale before leaving his residence and that he regularly took Suboxone and Klonopin, for which he has a prescription, according to the affidavit.
A blood alcohol test taken of Stone later that evening found his level at 0.09, according to the affidavit. A person is considered under the influence when the blood alcohol level is at or higher than 0.08.