Posted at: 07/02/2009 8:02 AM
Updated at: 07/02/2009 2:25 PM
By: Kayla Anderson, Eyewitness News 4, and Reed Upton, KOB.com

Ex-con pleads not guilty in deadly crash

Jason Butner in court Thursday morning

A man accused of running a stoplight while eluding police and striking a car, killing an 86-year-old man, pleaded not guilty Thursday morning.

Jason Butner faces several charges including homicide by vehicle, resisting arrest and driving a stolen vehicle.

On June 8, at about 2:30 in the morning, officers spotted Butner swerving through traffic near Central and Tramway.

When officers tried to pull Butner over, he sped away and struck a car being driven by 86-year-old Leo Baca, who was a retired state police officer.

Baca and his wife Connie were returning from a late-night date at Sandia Casino when they were hit. Leo died at the scene and Connie suffered serious injuries.

Butner�s bond was kept at $1 million during the morning arraignment.

He�s currently being held for violating the terms of his parole and probation from earlier convictions including forgery and driving a stolen vehicle.