Alleged drunk driver denies murder charges

POMONA -- A Covina man pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and other crimes today for allegedly crashing a car in La Verne last month while driving drunk, killing two passengers.

Alan Michael McConnell, 27, reportedly had a 0.15 blood-alcohol level during the Jan. 23 crash at Foothill Boulevard and Damien Avenue that killed Telassie Dague, 22, and Renee Hardy, 20, both of Rancho Cucamonga.

McConnell remains jailed in lieu of $2 million bail, and is set to next appear in Pomona Superior Court on March 15 for a pre-preliminary hearing.