Trial Begins in Crash That Split Car in Two, Killed TapouT Founder

 The trial of a man accused of driving drunk in Newport Beach and causing a crash that killed mixed-martial arts promoter Charles "Mask" Lewis Jr. began Tuesday with prosecutors saying the defendant was traveling at more than 100 mph.

Jeffrey David Kirby, 53, of Costa Mesa is charged with two felony counts—vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving under the influence causing bodily injury—in the 2009 crash that killed Lewis, 45, founder of clothing line TapouT, according to the Orange County district attorney's office. Kirby, who has a prior DUI conviction on his record,  faces more than 19 years in prison if convicted of all counts. Opening statements in the case are underway at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana 

Authorities say Kirby was drunk and speeding down Jamboree Road in his 1977 Porsche alongside a 2004 Ferrari driven by Lewis, a Huntington Beach resident. Kirby lost control of his car and crashed into Lewis' vehicle, according to a statement from the district attorney's office. Lewis then lost control of the Ferrari, which crashed into concrete light post and was torn in half.

Lewis, a pioneer in mixed martial arts, which combines Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling and martial arts, was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in his car, Lacy Lynn White, 23, was thrown from the car and landed in a nearby dirt embankment. She was taken to Western Medical Center and treated for a fractured elbow, lacerations and abrasions, the D.A.'s office said.

Following the accident, according to authorities, Kirby stopped briefly, then fled soon after parking on Bison Avenue, where a Newport beach police officer responding to the accident arrested him. Authorities said Kirby had a .13 percent blood-alcohol level two hours after the crash. The legal limit in the state is .08 percent. A passenger in Kriby's car, Lynn Marie Nabozny, 32, was arrested for public intoxication and later released.