The Arroyo Grande man and son of a San Luis Obispo police lieutenant accused of killing a 73-year-old woman while driving under the influence last year could face a jury trial next month.

Chad Robert Tolley, 20, has been charged with one count of second-degree murder in the May 7, 2006, death of Mildred Louise Minnich of rural Arroyo Grande.

During a trial-setting conference Thursday in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, Judge Ginger Garrett set the morning of Wednesday, April 4, for another trial-setting conference.

Jury selection is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. the same day, according to court staff.

Garrett ordered Tolley to stand trial for second-degree murder, rejecting the lesser charge of vehicular manslaughter suggested by his attorney, Robert Sanger, after a preliminary hearing last December.

Minnich died after the 2005 Chevrolet Impala Tolley was driving southbound on Highway 227, allegedly over the posted speed limit, crossed into oncoming traffic and hit Minnich's 1999 Toyota Avalon head-on.

The 73-year-old died at Arroyo Grande Community Hospital from her injuries.

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Tolley was also injured in the collision and transported to a hospital, where he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and causing a fatal injury.

He was booked into County Jail after his arrest and posted $500,000 bail May 24. He has been free on bond since and is participating in an outpatient rehabilitation program, according to Sanger.

Tolley is the son of San Luis Obispo police Lt. Steve Tolley. The District Attorney's Office handed the case over to the state Attorney General's Office, which is prosecuting, because Tolley's father is a local police officer.

A gag order on all parties involved with the case has been imposed by the judge.

April Charlton can be reached at 489-4206, Ext. 5016, or acharlton@santamariatimes.com.

March 17, 2007