Luke Nardini: Trial date set for WA race car driver accused of causing US crash that claimed two lives

A trial date has been set for a WA man accused of killing two motorists in a head-on crash in the US. Luke Nardini, 31, is charged with two counts of misdemeanour manslaughter for a fatal head-on collision in the mountain community of La Honda, south of San Francisco, in September of last year. During a pre-trial conference hearing on Monday local time, Mr Nardini’s trial was scheduled to start on June 7. Mr Nardini, a speedway racer from a well-known Narrogin family, allegedly crashed his rental car after crossing into the wrong driving lane because of road construction, and collided headfirst into another vehicle. The back-seat passengers in the Ford SUV, Jack and Linda Davis, a local couple in their 80s, died from their injuries. Speed and alcohol are not believed to have been a factor in the accident. Mr Nardini was arrested and later released from jail after posting a USD $20,000 ($31,000) bail. As part of his release agreement, he had to surrender his passport and remain in Northern California. Earlier in the month, Mr Nardini was offered a plea deal by California Judge Susan Jakubowski. Under California’s sentencing laws, Mr Nardini would have likely faced no more than six months in jail, but Judge Jakubowski left open the possibility that Nardini could serve even less time. However, he rejected the deal the two days later. Mr. Nardini’s trial is expected to last between five and seven days.