DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO
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A man accused of hitting and killing a pedestrian with his car before crashing into a small church on University Avenue pleaded not guilty yesterday to charges including gross vehicular manslaughter.
Keith Terez Johnson, 27, also faces a felony hit-and-run charge in connection with the death Monday of Bernard Piotrowski, 50, of La Mesa. If convicted, Johnson could be sent to prison for up to 11 years.
San Diego Superior Court Judge David M. Szumowski increased Johnson's bail yesterday from about $55,000 to $500,000. A lawyer will be appointed to represent him.
Prosecutor Melissa Diaz told the judge that Johnson was driving at more than 100 mph Monday afternoon when he crashed into another car – a green Ford Taurus, according to police – and careened onto a sidewalk.
Johnson, who authorities said was driving a black Acura, struck Piotrowski, severing his left arm. The car kept going, jumped a curb and smashed into a small church at 69th Street.
Piotrowski, a retiree who did volunteer work, died almost instantly near the Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in the San Diego neighborhood of Rolando.
The prosecutor said Johnson ran and was arrested six or seven blocks from the crash. She described him as a known gang member who was unemployed.
Deputy Public Defender Paul Rodriguez told the judge that Johnson was about to begin working as a telemarketer. He has no violent criminal history and is married with two children, ages 6 and 4, the attorney said.
Johnson's older brother said outside the courtroom yesterday that the defendant's wife is in the military and is stationed in Iraq. He said the family is making arrangements for her return.
Floyd Johnson, 32, said his brother has been the target of violence in the past and was being chased at the time of the crash.
“He was unaware that there was a victim until the police told him,” Floyd Johnson said. “It was an accident. My brother is apologetic for that. . . . He was being pursued by somebody who was trying to take his life.”
Dana Littlefield: (619) 542-4590; dana.littlefield@uniontrib.com
