Dr. Jonathan Nakhla, the driver in the deadly accident that killed medical student Samantha Thomas, released from jail after posting bond. bit.ly/3akOkBV
Posted by WKRG on Wednesday, August 12, 2020
Alabama neurosurgeon Dr. Jonathan Nakhla, 36, was drunk and driving 138 miles per hour when he caused the crash that killed medical student Samantha Alison Thomas, 24, authorities say. Now he’s been charged with manslaughter.
Bond hearing held for Johnathan Nakhal who is charged with Manslaughter in connection to the fatal crash that resulted in the death of Samantha Thomas on 8/1. Bond was set at $200,000 and the defendant is prohibited from leaving the state. Preliminary hearing set for 9/2. pic.twitter.com/e9Idijg8gp
— Mobile DA’s Office (@MobileDAoffice) August 12, 2020
The defendant’s blood alcohol level was above the legal limit of .08 percent according to authorities cited in a WKRG report. Testing was pending, however, and there have (as of the time of this writing) been no intoxication-specific charges filed.
“At this point in time we don’t consider that a material aspect of the case,” Nakhla attorney Dennis Knizley said, according to AL.com. “If that changes, we’ll certainly address it.”
The defendant was allegedly going 138 miles per hour in a 45 zone on the West I-65 Service Road on August 1. He swerved his Audi in order to avoid another vehicle and crashed off-road, according to an investigator’s account. Thomas, a passenger in the defendant’s Audi, died. Nakhla received non-life threatening injuries and posted a $200,000 bond on Wednesday.
Knizley suggested that data from the Audi was unreliable because it rolled over. He asserted the incident was an accident. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 2.
130+ MPH — That’s how fast prosecutors say a Mobile neurosurgeon was going when he crashed, killing USA medical student Samantha Thomas.https://t.co/tipHZ3kBni
— WKRG (@WKRG) August 12, 2020
Thomas’ family is working with the University of South Alabama to set up a scholarship in her name, according to Fox 10. At the time of her death, she was working her third year seeking a medical degree at the school.
Nakhla was a neurosurgeon at the Mobile Infirmary.
[Mugshot via Mobile DA’s Office]
