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Man suspected of DUI in fiery crash on SR-67 that killed driver pleads not guilty

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SAN DIEGO - A Ramona man who allegedly drove drunk and caused a head-on collision on state Route 67 in Poway that killed another driver pleaded not guilty Wednesday to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and DUI causing great bodily injury.

Roy Dunkin, 51, faces 15 years and four months in prison if convicted in the death of 24-year-old Lucas Riley.

The Saturday night crash was one of four DUI-related fatalities in San Diego County last weekend, said Deputy District Attorney Cally Bright.

Authorities said Dunkin was driving a pickup truck on northbound state Route 67, south of Cloudy Moon Drive, about 7 p.m. when he veered into the southbound lanes and struck the rear panel of a late model Buick and a Mini Cooper driven by Riley.

The Mini Cooper burst into flames and Riley was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dunkin -- held on $2 million bail -- will be back in court Sept. 2 for a readiness conference and Sept. 7 for a preliminary hearing.