Woman Pleads Not Guilty in Crash That Killed Cyclist
Authorities say Danae Marie Miller was drunk and texting in the accident that killed cyclist Amine Britel.
The woman accused of driving drunk and causing the crash that killed a cyclist in Newport Beach pleaded not guilty today to one felony count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence while intoxicated, according to the Orange County district attorney's office. She will return to court May 19 for a pretrial hearing.
Authorities say Danae Marie Miller, 22, of Newport Coast, also was texting on her cell phone at the time of the Feb. 21 accident, which killed 44-year-old Amine Britel, also of Newport Coast, who was riding his bike on San Joaquin Hills Road near Spy Glass Hill Road.
According to the district attorney's office, before the crash Miller drank alcohol at her place of employment, Zinc Cafe. Following the accident, authorities say, Miller showed signs of intoxication, such as bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and odor of alcohol. Nearly two hours after the crash, the D.A.'s office says, Miller had a blood alcohol level of .10. The legal limit for drivers in California is .08. If convicted, Miller faces up to 10 years in prison.
Britel, a triathlete and local businessman, died at the scene. He enjoyed riding his bike along the hills of Newport Coast, running the sands of Crystal Cove and swimming in the ocean at Corona del Mar. The Friends of Britel are holding a beachside memorial for him Sunday at Crystal Cove. A white bicycle now marks the spot where Britel died. It serves as a memorial to Britel and a reminder to motorists to be aware of the many cyclists who use the street.
Amy
3:09 pm on Friday, April 15, 2011
So sad, this is all so important to not drink and drive as well as not text and drive.
A wonderful life was taken away because of that.
C
6:11 pm on Friday, April 15, 2011
Not guilty? Is she still drunk?
Amused
6:45 pm on Friday, April 15, 2011
I want her to spend the rest of her LIFE giving back to all the victims of impaired drivers AFTER she spends 10 YEARS in prison for being such a PUKE of a human - Amine was what we all aspired to be - engauged, successful and being healthy and having fun with life - and a good friend - Danae your redemption begins when you admit to us all that you screwed up big........take responsibility - ASK for forgivness and NEVER forget who gives you PURPOSE in this life you now have to lead.......put his picture in your wallet cause thats all any of us ever have..........................................................
MW
10:46 am on Monday, April 18, 2011
Everyone makes poor decisions - some so small they're never really acknowledged and others so enormous with everlasting consequences that we can only hope and pray that ALL INDIVIDUALS acknowledge and try to learn from them.
I was so disappointed and saddened by Danae's follow-up decisions since that terrible day of 2/21/2011. I had hoped and prayed that she would acknowledge and take responsibility for her actions and ask for forgiveness to his family and friends. She has caused so much pain and suffering to AMINE and his family/friends. Now she continues to do so by pleading not guilty. Amine's family and friends now have to sit through (who knows how many days/weeks) a trial that only continues and deepens their pain and suffering.
My prayers continue not only for his family but also that Danae finally makes the RIGHT decision to pled guilty.
Another note - his Memorial Service was emotional, sad and at times bitter sweet. If you read his FULL bio - Amine accomplished more in his 44 years than most of us can hope too. But imagine what he could have done for himself and others if he had 44 more....
PM
11:07 am on Monday, April 18, 2011
This is a very avoidable tragedy and my thoughts and prayers go out to all those left to deal with the emotional challenge ahead. For those of you who think Ms. Miller should plead guilty and serve a maximum sentence, you are naive to how the legal system in the United States works. If it were you sitting at the defense table, would you want to serve 10 years or even 10 days in jail for using poor judgement at the age of 23? Have any of you ever left a bar or party buzzing after you had a little more to drink than you should have? For the majority of those who consume drugs or alcohol, the anwer is yes. So maybe, instead of trying to dole out the harshest punishment for her, you should encourage your own friends and family members to refrain from drinking and driving or stay off the phone while driving. As they say, the change starts with you.
Amused
3:43 pm on Monday, April 18, 2011
Geez PM......did the fact that girl is a multiple offender in so many ways escape your semi self righteous "people in glass houses" example - maybe we should start with you. I get the impression your "pseudo" at alot of things.......
PM
6:29 pm on Monday, April 18, 2011
Kiki proved my point. Thanks Kiki. Too bad you also don't have enough brain cells to understand that everyone, including people named Kiki, are entitled to be defended in the courts. "That girl is a multiple offender"? Really? Has she hit and killed others with her vehicle while allegedly driving under the influence or texting? Hopefully you won't end up in the jury pool and we can all accept the fact that you have already polluted the gene pool. Go back to Russia Kiki.
Amused
8:30 pm on Monday, April 18, 2011
PM.....you proved my point.......she had 16 plus driving violations - or didn't you bother to read up - multiple violations - and proud to be born and raised here in CA.
JET58
9:37 pm on Monday, April 18, 2011
I agree we all make mistakes but we also learn from those mistakes. Ms. Miller appears to make the same mistakes over and over again. Initially her mistakes were without consequences, but when she decided to text while also being drunk the scales tipped the other way. We'll never know, maybe she could have driven home drunk without an incident but once she added texting to the equation it was an added distraction. It is a shame that Ms. Miller's friends didn't stop her from driving that evening.
PM, if it was your parent, brother, child or friend that was killed by Ms. Miller would you feel the same? Ms. Miller's past history indicates that she has a disregard for following the rules of driving and unfortunately this time she killed an innocent man. Of course, no one wants to go to jail but it is a possible consequence when you make the decision to drive drunk regardless of age.
PM
1:26 pm on Tuesday, April 19, 2011
JET58, I agree with most of what you say, however, I still believe in the Constitution. If you read my original post, I feel for all parties involved. Feelings do not override the right to a trial by your peers; not a trial on the Patch blog. To answer your question, I have had several(4) close friends killed in alcohol related crashes but fortunately, no family members. I say let the legal process work for or against Ms. Miller. To Kiki; the fact that she may have 16 violations indicates that she probably should hire a full-time driver for life but I still think she has the right to defend herself for her ALLEGED wreckless behavior. Has it sunk in yet? I have provided an excerpt to the 6th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that you may not have access to in Russia. Do some CrossFit training for your brain and read it;
"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence."
Amused
4:43 pm on Tuesday, April 19, 2011
PM....the fact that you choose to personally attack me says it all....yes, she will get her day in court and hopefully justice will prevail.....still won't change the facts of this case - I suspect your closer to them then you lead on to be.
PM
5:21 pm on Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Thank you for finally admitting you don't know everything and she is entitled to a defense of her alleged behavior. You're the one who has condemned her with your comments; not me. Once again, your suspicion is wrong. I'm glad you aren't part of the legal system. I read about the crash...just like you. Maybe you should spend less time in the row boat and a little more time reading the Constitution. Just because someone does not agree with your vindictive comments doesn't mean they are favoring the accused. Lastly, unless you are performing personal training for the defense attorney for Ms. Miller, you don't know fact from fiction. Oh, I get it...you think everything you read on the internet is true. LOL
PM
5:12 pm on Tuesday, April 19, 2011
P.S. It's you're not "your" closer. Duh
Amused
6:13 pm on Tuesday, April 19, 2011
The fact that you continue to personally attack me - because I have an opinion - says much about your character.......you should admit you don't know all the facts also.............
PM
11:43 pm on Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Poor Kiki. Can't stand to have someone disagree with her judgemental comments BEFORE a U.S. citizen has been processed through the legal system. If questioning my character makes you feel better, go for it. I never claimed to have the facts. I simply said(simple for most people with an average I.Q. or better) that Danae Miller deserves her rights to defend her actions. Why you can't process this concept explains why you continue to change the subject. Kiki Dickson should just admit she is wrong and she has pre-judged another human being like she is superior. It seems other readers understand, why can't you? I think a UCLA education has failed you.
Amused
8:37 am on Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Again, you haven't been paying attention. I never said she did not deserve her day in court. And again - berating the person dosen't make your arguement stonger. And lastly, since you know so much about the Constitution - I have every right to state my opinion. If you can't accept that - than you make the trek to the nearest communist country.
PM
10:16 am on Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Here is the quote from Kiki Dickson of Orange Coast CrossFit;
"I want her to spend the rest of her LIFE giving back to all the victims of impaired drivers AFTER she spends 10 YEARS in prison for being such a PUKE of a human".
Once again, Kiki the almighty is attempting to claim that Danae Miller should pay for a mistake by devoting her life to imprisonment and then servitude to everyone who has suffered because of impaired driving auto crashes. I think Jesus Christ took care of that burden and it is not prudent or purposeful for her to pay that price. Kiki, you are the PUKE of a human being for claiming to be without sin. Only a "PUKE" would demand retribution of this kind. Below is another quote from the CrossFit wannabe Queen of Stink and Sweat Kiki Dickson;
"ASK for forgivness and NEVER forget who gives you PURPOSE in this life you now have to lead.......put his picture in your wallet cause thats all any of us ever have".
Danae Miller should feel like anyone who is not a sociopath...badly. She should ask for forgiveness from God and possibly the family in due time. Her purpose is her own...not to pay tribute to one of Kiki's clients 24/7 for life. It's a sad situation but Danae Miller shouldn't be punished to that degree. She will live with the guilt for the rest of her life. That alone will eat at her soul. Shame on you Kiki. Been to the Yardhouse lately? Driven yourself home after a couple drinks? Hypocrite.
Amused
11:09 am on Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Wow.......your wrong in so many ways.......I am angry - I every right to be.......free country to express my views.......and I don't know any Dickson...........
Amused
11:29 am on Wednesday, April 20, 2011
BTW.......I changed my name so you don't get confused - I don't know the person you are referring to.....so, why all the venom PM? Don't I have the right to say what I want to say? And why are you so pissed off?
Friend
11:40 am on Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Just finding out that this was Amine.
I am so sadden that such an Angel on earth was taken.
He was a fine example of who we all should strive to be.
Rest in peace Amine.
Kathy
12:42 am on Thursday, April 28, 2011
There won't be even a small measure of justice for Amine. Danae Miller will walk. No consequences for her actions. Maybe she will get lucky and never kill or injure someone again. I doubt it.