An Austin man, involved in a May 9 crash that claimed the life of another Austin man, William Richard Regner, 89, has entered a plea of not guilty.

Christopher Robert Stewart, 31, of Austin pleaded not guilty to felony criminal vehicular homicide-operate vehicle in a negligent manner while under the influence of a controlled substance, misdemeanor fourth-degree DWI-under the influence of a controlled substance and misdemeanor driving after revocation of his license on Thursday in Mower County District Court.

Stewart was arrested on May 9 after the 2001 Ford F-350 he was driving was involved in an accident with a 1998 Dodge Caravan at the intersection of Mower County Roads 28 and 29 in Austin.

Regner, the driver of the Dodge Caravan, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Court documents state a deputy at the scene asked for a driver’s license from Stewart, but a woman at the scene, who owned the Ford, said he did not have one.

A review of Stewart’s record reflected his license status as “revoked.”

The deputy asked Stewart what happened and the woman again answered for Stewart, saying the Dodge “blew the stop sign.” Stewart agreed, saying he was driving north on County Road 29 at 48-52 miles per hour. He also indicated the Dodge never stopped at the stop sign.

The deputy spoke to a Minnesota State Trooper, who said a witness told him the Ford “flew past” him at a high rate of speed. The witness said he was driving north at about 50 miles per hour when the Ford passed him; however, Stewart claimed the witness was “going like 35 miles per hour” and he passed him at 52 miles per hour, then slowed for the curve.

The deputy noticed that Stewart was exhibiting signs of being under the influence, including dilated pupils that were slow to react to light, red sores on his face and rapid body movements. When asked is he had used drugs, Stewart said he had smoked methamphetamine about a month ago, had used marijuana more recently, and did not use any prescription medication.

The deputy had Stewart perform five field sobriety tests, three of which he failed. Stewart then said he had taken an Adderall. The deputy then explained that he believed Stewart had used drugs in the previous two days and Stewart agreed.

At the Mower County Jail, the deputy obtained a search warrant for a blood sample from Stewart, which was then sent to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension laboratory for analysis.

The accident is still under investigation; the results of the blood test are pending.

A review of Stewart’s criminal record shows prior convictions for theft and numerous traffic violations.

A pre-trial has been scheduled for Nov. 27 with a jury trial set for Dec. 16.