MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – On Thursday morning, Spencer Strickland appeared before Mobile County District Judge Zack Moore for a preliminary hearing.

Strickland is facing manslaughter charges in connection with the fatal crash that claimed the life of Katherine Smith. Prosecutors allege Strickland was under the influence at the time of the crash, which occurred at the intersection of Airport Boulevard and McGregor Street. A blood test revealed that Strickland’s blood alcohol level was higher than the legal limit of 0.112 and that he also had other substances in his blood; his attorney, Dennis Knizley, questions this.

“We did not have the opportunity to conduct an independent review of the accuracy of the blood alcohol content,” attorney Knizley said.

Mobile Police Officer and lead investigator James Welch testified during the hearing. When he arrived at the scene, Welch said a lieutenant told him Strickland was driving westbound, ran a red light and hit Smith’s car. Numerous witnesses supported this statement. The incident was recorded by security cameras at nearby businesses and showed Smith stopping to turn left, while Strickland allegedly went through a red light at 82 mph and slowed only slightly before the crash.

“We will have a better understanding of what speed is when we do our own analysis,” attorney Knizley adds.

The damage to the victim’s vehicle was so extensive that Welch testified that his steering wheel was separated from the car and the impact tragically pushed Smith from the driver’s seat to the passenger side, where he was found dead.

Welch also testified that he spoke with Spencer at the scene and claimed that Spencer was not paying attention to the victim, was heading west on Airport Boulevard at the time of the crash, a car pulled in front of him and he was unable to stop. He allegedly continues to say, “I’m fine, I’m just worried about my dog.”

“I think we’re going to have to see body camera because I think that would be drastically different,” attorney Knizley said. “Yes, he was very concerned about the person’s condition; had a car accident. Police said one person was injured. He didn’t even know who that person was because he wasn’t allowed up there. “But when you see the body cameras, when that comes out, you’ll see that this person is very concerned about the person getting hurt.”

Welch also testified that he smelled alcohol in Strickland’s car, where he found a steel mug containing alcohol.

After the hearing, members of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, of which Smith was a member, and her family came together and prayed.

“We offer our condolences to the Smith family, and of course they have suffered more than she has from this, but it has also been hard on Ms. Strickland – it is something she will live with every day of her life… It has been hard work. He is a single parent,” said Attorney Knizley.

The case was assigned to a Mobile County grand jury. Strickland remains out in custody, under a 10pm to 6am curfew and ordered to have no contact with the victim’s family.

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