BAKERSFIELD, California — In a somber turn of events, a bail review hearing for Karim Reyad, the one-armed man accused of causing a fatal collision in Bakersfield by speeding and driving while impaired, has been postponed until March 18, 2024. Reyad’s Dodge Charger Hellcat collided with another vehicle, resulting in the tragic death of its driver.
The decision to postpone the hearing was announced by Judge John Oglesby during a brief session on Tuesday morning. Both the defense and prosecution agreed to the delay, and the motion for bail reduction, submitted by Reyad’s attorneys, is now slated to be heard in mid-March.
Currently, Reyad remains in custody without bail. Reyad, aged 19, faces charges of second-degree murder and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, among other offenses, stemming from the April 18 crash that claimed the life of 66-year-old Gayla Sue Price.
According to police reports, Reyad was recklessly driving on Campus Park Drive, speeding and swerving into oncoming lanes, when his vehicle collided with a Honda Civic driven by Price. Tragically, Price succumbed to her injuries at the scene. Reyad and a passenger in his vehicle also sustained multiple injuries. It’s noted that Reyad had previously lost his arm in another vehicular accident.
Reports indicate that Reyad’s blood tested positive for THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. Just a week before the fatal collision, Reyad had been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of marijuana. As the legal proceedings unfold, the community awaits further developments, highlighting the tragic impact of impaired driving.
