Arraignment for driver in Christmas Eve 2009 crash set for Friday

A Huntington Beach man accused of killing his cousin and injuring two others while allegedly speeding down East Coast Highway is scheduled to be arraigned Friday.

Luicci Nader, 19, is expected to be arraigned at 9 a.m. Friday at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana on felony vehicular manslaughter by unlawful manner of driving with gross negligence with a sentencing enhancement for causing great bodily injury.

He faces a maximum sentence of six years in state prison if convicted on all charges.

Nader was allegedly driving a gray 2008 F-430 Spider Ferrari with his cousin Ralph Abinader, 24, on East Coast Highway in Newport Beach. The two were headed to a family party on Christmas Eve.

Nader was allegedly speeding between 80 and 100 mph when he lost control of the vehicle and swerved over the raised center median.

The Ferrari went onto the other side of the road, crashing head-first into a tow truck on East Coast Highway near Jamboree Road. The Ferrari caught on fire and split into two.

The truck’s driver, Cole Putnam, 54, and his passenger, Linda Langgle, were injured and rushed to the hospital along with Nader. Abinader died at the scene.

Prosecutors are expected to ask for $100,000 bail for Nader to stay out of custody.

Britney Barnes