A preliminary hearing for Kyndal Orange – an Ark City man charged with unintentional second-degree murder in connection with a fatal car crash in March – is set for this week.
The hearing is set to begin at 9 a.m. Friday at the Cowley County Courthouse in Winfield. Local attorney Jennifer Passiglia has been appointed to represent the defendant.
Orange, 23, was arrested following a crash March 5 that claimed the life of Tionna Bruno. His bond was set at $50,000 and he has remained in jail since shortly after the crash occurred.
Orange has been formally charged with a count each of second-degree murder, violation of a protective order, driving without a license and driving under the influence.
Authorities said evidence and witness testimony indicated the crash did not meet the standards to be considered an accident. Investigators believe Orange was driving a Ford Explorer when he intentionally swerved and left the roadway on U.S. 77 near Strother Field.
The couple were in a 2005 Ford Exlplorer Sport Track when the crash happened. Bruno died at the scene after being ejected from the vehicle.
During a preliminary hearing, defendants hear the state’s evidence in a case while a judge determines if it is sufficient for a defendant to stand trial.