L.A. Man Pleads Not Guilty In Crash That Killed Marietta Firefighter

MARIETTA, GA -- Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office filed DUI charges this week against a driver responsible for the crash that took the life of Marietta firefighter Ron Herens, Patch has learned.

Benjamin Albert Seider, 23, pleaded not guilty Tuesday in a Los Angeles County courtroom, according to news reports. He faces multiple charges, including gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving under the influence during the April 10 collision in Southern California.

Prosecutors also charged him with inflicting great bodily injury on his victims, according to KTLA-TV.

Marietta Firefighter Killed In California Car Crash; DUI Suspect Held

Investigators say that Seider was driving drunk -- with a .08 percent blood alcohol content -- when he ran a red light in Venice at the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Washington Boulevard and slammed into the firefighters, ultimately causing a three-vehicle crash. Herens was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.

Two other Marietta firemen -- Dillon Guest and Doug Blanchard -- were injured in the crash but are recovering.

Comrades Nationwide Remember Marietta Firefighter Ron Herens

Seider is scheduled to return to court June 8, the news station reports. He is facing a maximum of 12 years in prison.

Herens' body was brought back to Georgia on Delta Airlines Flight 926 three weeks ago. Dozens of people congregated at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport for the occasion. Friends, family and scores of firefighters lined the roadway as a hearse slowly pulled away, heading to West Cobb Funeral Home in Marietta.

Herens was laid to rest April 19 during a packed memorial ceremony in Powder Springs.

Image via Marietta PD / Facebook