Smallwood pleads innocent in drunken driving accident

Friday, June 5, 1998

Smallwood pleads innocent in drunken driving accident

CRIME: Suspect faces charges of vehicular manslaughter while
intoxicated, postpones preliminary hearing to July

By Lawrence Ferchaw

Daily Bruin Staff

The UCLA student accused of killing a 74-year-old man in a
hit-and-run accident entered a plea of not guilty on Thursday.

Benjamin Smallwood, a senior English student, faces one count of
vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated without gross negligence,
and one count of leaving the scene of an accident. Both crimes are
felonies.

If convicted on both counts, Smallwood could face as many as
eight years in prison, according to Detective Kirk Hunter of the
LAPD. Hunter is the investigating detective in this case.

The accident took place on May 13 at the intersection of Beverly
Glen and Ashton, where Mohammad Rezvani was crossing the street. He
was hit by a car speeding down Beverly Glen, according to police.
The driver failed to stop and aid the victim. After being
transported to UCLA Medical Center, Rezvani was pronounced dead due
to massive blunt force trauma.

Smallwood’s car was found in his apartment’s garage by Earvin
Bryant, a Bel Air patrol officer. The car matched the description
of the car given to police by witnesses. Bryant also noticed damage
to the car.

Bryant notified police, and Smallwood was arrested in the early
morning of May 14.

During his arrest, police said Smallwood made spontaneous
statements to them which led them to believe he was
intoxicated.

"The statements by him and the physical evidence indicate he was
intoxicated at the time of the accident," said LAPD Officer Mike
Partain.

Smallwood was charged with vehicular manslaughter while
intoxicated, but not driving recklessly. He remains free on $50,000
bail, and will return to court sometime after July 1 for a
preliminary hearing. Ordinarily, a hearing would occur within 10
days of the arraignment, but Smallwood waived his right to a more
timely hearing so that he and his counsel could prepare.

Smallwood’s attorney requested that his client be allowed to
travel back to his home state of Texas. The District Attorney’s
office opposed this motion, saying the charges were "serious."

Smallwood was present with his parents and sister, who came from
Texas to be with him. They would not comment on the case.

Richard Hutton, Smallwood’s attorney, described the family as
"very supportive."

"He’s a really nice young man," Hutton said. "He has a good
family and they’re doing the best they can."

Hutton would not comment on the specifics of the case,
describing circumstances "complicated."

"(The incident is) unfortunate for him (Smallwood) and for Mr.
Rezvani," Hunter said.

DERRICK KUDO/Daily Bruin

Benjamin Smallwood, (right) a suspect in a hit-and-run murder,
speaks with his lawyer during an arraignment at the L.A. Municipal
Courthouse.