SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man out of custody on felony probation was charged and arraigned today for driving a sport utility vehicle (SUV) while under the influence of drugs on Interstate 405 and causing a crash that killed a 10-year-old girl and severely injured her sister and father. Adam John Kanas, 36, San Clemente, was charged today with one felony count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated with a prior conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol, three felony counts of driving under the influence of drugs causing bodily injury with a prior conviction for reckless driving and a sentencing enhancement for a prior strike conviction in 2014 for first degree burglary in Los Angeles County. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 41 years to life in state prison. He was arraigned today and is being held on $1 million bail. He is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on Aug. 25, 2016, at 8:30 a.m. in Department W-1, West Justice Center, Westminster.

At approximately 9:00 a.m. on Aug. 15, 2016, Kanas is accused of driving erratically in a Chevy Tahoe SUV while under the influence of drugs including cocaine and opiates on the northbound I-405. At approximately 9:30 a.m., he is accused of driving at speeds of approximately 80 mph, swerving left across multiple lanes and the double yellow line into the carpool lane near the Seal Beach Boulevard exit.

Donald Geddis, 49, was driving a Tesla in the carpool lane while his two daughters, 10-year-old Kendra Geddis and 13-year-old Kayla Geddis, were asleep in the backseat. Kanas is accused of failing to brake and slamming into the rear bumper of Donald Geddis' Tesla which was slowing to a stop as a result of traffic. Kanas is accused of causing the Tesla to crash into the rear of a Honda Civic that was in front of it.

Firefighters from the Orange County Fire Authority arrived to the scene and recovered the body of Kendra Geddis who died as a result of the impact from the crash. Firefighters also extracted Kayla Geddis and Donald Geddis from the wreck and were both transported to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center to be treated for serious injuries. The driver of the Honda Civic was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

The California Highway Patrol, who investigated this case, arrested Kanas. At the time of his arrest, Kanas is accused of displaying objective signs of intoxication including slurred speech, trouble staying awake and shuffling his feet to balance himself.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Walker of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.

Orange County District Attorney / Case # 16WF1821 / August 17, 2016