An Orcutt man entered not-guilty pleas in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court for three felony charges stemming from a fatal crash that killed a Santa Maria man early Sunday morning. 

Dylan River Lossing, 20, was arrested following the multiple-vehicle crash on Highway 101 north of Highway 166 after 2 a.m.

After a solo vehicle rollover crash blocked the southbound lanes, a Honda driven by Lossing approached the rear of a 2012 Nissan Altima that was being driven by a Michael Cole, 30, from Santa Maria. 

The Nissan’s driver had stopped behind a vehicle driven by Leticia Fernandez, 53, of Bakersfield, who was stopped in her black GMC Sierra.  

Due to his unsafe speed, Lossing was unable to slow down or avoid the traffic stopped for the solo-vehicle crash, the California Highway Patrol said. The front of his Honda collided into the rear of the Nissan driven by Cole.

The impact of the collision caused the Nissan to be pushed forward into the GMC. Cole was transported to the hospital where he died of his injuries, the CHP said.

Lossing’s vehicle continued in a southerly direction on the dirt/grass median and collided with a Chrysler Pacifica, being driven by Trisha Norris, 61, of Santa Maria. 

Norris had stopped ahead of the GMC as a result of the original solo-vehicle rollover collision.  

Lossing was driving his vehicle at a high speed prior to the collision, according to the CHP. 

The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office charged Lossing with three felony counts for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence causing injury, and driving with a blood-alcohol content of 0.08% or higher causing injury. 

The criminal complaint also includes special allegations, or sentencing enhancements, for causing great bodily injury.

During his arraignment hearing Wednesday, Lossing’s attorney asked that his client be released on his own recognizance or reduced bail.

A hearing to review bail is planned for Oct. 29 and the preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 21. 

Lossing remained in the custody of the San Luis Obispo County Jail with bail set at $100,000. 

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page has been created to help cover the funeral costs following the unexpected death of Cole. 

“He was an amazing brother, son, cousin, friend and uncle. He loved trying to make mischief with his nieces and nephews,” his sister wrote. “This was an unexpected loss no one was prepared for, mentally or financially.”

As of Thursday, the page had raised more than $2,500 toward the $5,000 goal.