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A 21-year-old man has waived his right to a preliminary hearing in connection with charges that he was under the influence of marijuana when he caused an April traffic collision that killed the founder of Salt Lake City's Siegfried's Deli.
Daniel Levert, of Salt Lake City, was charged in 3rd District Court with second-degree felony automobile homicide for colliding with 69-year-old Siegfried Meyer.
Meyer was driving a Harley-Davidson motorcycle west on 2100 South near 600 West at about 12:25 p.m. on April 19, when an eastbound car driven by Levert turned left in front of him, according to charging documents.
Meyer, who was not wearing a helmet, was thrown by the collision and suffered severe head injuries, according to the Utah Highway Patrol.
He died two days later at a hospital.
After the crash, witnesses saw Levert get out of car and try to hide a baggie of marijuana and an apple used to smoke marijuana in some bushes.
Levert — who showed signs of impairment — later told police he had been smoking marijuana with a friend and was "high," charges state.
Levert also told police that he "got lost on the freeway and panicked and hit the motorcycle, according to charges.
Automobile homicide is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
Levert also was charged with third-degree felony obstructing justice, misdemeanor counts of drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia, and failure to yield, an infraction.
A scheduling hearing is set for Aug. 8.
Meyer sold Siegfried's Deli, 20 W. 200 South, to a long-time employee, Daiva Stankyavichyus, about 11 years ago, according to an employee. But Meyer remained in charge of the sausage and meats for Siegfried's, and he also catered for Snowbird's annual Oktoberfest and other events.