Cottonwood man charged with vehicular manslaughter

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Story Published: Dec 17, 2009 at 10:38 AM PDT

Story Updated: Dec 18, 2009 at 4:24 PM PDT

By Associated Press

LEWISTON (AP) - A 23-year-old Cottonwood man has been charged with two counts of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter in connection with a crash that killed two of his friends earlier this year.

Idaho State Police says Derrick Dryden was driving a 1991 Subaru on Highway 95 when his vehicle drifted off the road and hit a tree near Culdesac. Benjamin Holland and Nicholas Walker died in the crash in the early morning hours of October 25. Both men were 23 and from Post Falls. Dryden was injured.

Nez Perce County Deputy Prosecutor April Smith says an investigation shows Dryden fell asleep before his car went off the road. None of the men were wearing seat belts.

ISP said the roadway was dry and is straight where the crash happened.

Dryden's attorney, Anthony Anegon, has filed a written plea of not guilty on his client's behalf.

(KLEW Web Staff contributed to this report.)

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