Man to be charged with second-degree murder and vehicular manslaughter

VISTA - A man accused of driving drunk and causing a head-on crash that killed a motorcyclist near Bonsall must stand trial on charges including second-degree murder and vehicular manslaughter, a judge ruled today.

Christopher Henry -- who has a 2008 misdemeanor DUI conviction from Riverside County -- faces 15 years to life in prison if convicted of the murder charge.

Henry, 26, was arrested after the Aug. 1 crash on West Lilac Road.

According to the California Highway Patrol, Henry allowed his Ford Mustang to drift out of the westbound lane of West Lilac into the eastbound lane near Via Giannelli, where the car hit a Victory motorcycle head-on, killing 60-year-old Richard Michael Rodriguez.

Henry was hospitalized with moderate injuries, then jailed, authorities said.

Deputy District Attorney Aimee McLeod said Henry admitted to drinking one beer before the accident, but investigators later learned the defendant had been drinking at three places.

According to testimony at today's preliminary hearing, Henry's blood-alcohol level was measured at .11 percent about 30 minutes after the crash. A blood test an hour later showed a blood-alcohol level of .08 percent, McLeod

said.

Following today's hearing, Vista Judge K. Michael Kirkman ruled that enough evidence was presented for Henry to stand trial on murder, manslaughter and DUI charges. A Superior Court arraignment was set for Nov. 12.