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A Pleasanton man has been arraigned for murder and other charges for allegedly killing a passenger in another vehicle while driving drunk at well over 100 mph on Crow Canyon Road in San Ramon last weekend.
Badal Dholaria, a 27-year-old Foothill High School alumnus, pleaded not guilty to the allegations when appearing in Contra Costa County Superior Court in Martinez on Thursday afternoon.
Shortly before the court hearing, San Ramon Police Department officials announced their findings from a follow-up investigation of the crash site Wednesday on Crow Canyon Road near the intersection with Bollinger Canyon Road on the western edge of the city.
“Preliminary findings indicate that a Tesla Model S driven by (Dholaria) was traveling at more than 150 mph westbound on Crow Canyon Road,” SRPD officials said on social media Thursday.
“Dholaria’s reckless disregard for public safety led to his vehicle striking the rear passenger side of the victim’s Ford Bronco,” they continued. “At the time of impact, the Tesla is believed to have still been traveling in excess of 120 mph.”
Dholaria is facing a murder charge for the death of Alix Sparks, the 41-year-old Castro Valley woman and passenger in the Bronco who was killed in the collision at approximately 3:30 p.m. Nov. 29. The driver of the Bronco – a 40-year-old Castro Valley man whose name hasn’t been released – was injured and treated at the hospital that day.
Dholaria is also facing felony counts for driving under the influence, with a blood alcohol content above 0.08% while causing great bodily injury to both victims. He pleaded not guilty Thursday to all charges and allegations.
The defendant remains in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility with bail set at $1.2 million. He is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 15 at 8:30 a.m.
