An Aug. 25 trial date has been set for the alleged drunk driver who crashed into a palm tree in Sunset Cliffs, injuring his three children.
Noel Bences, 28, was ordered to stand trial on three counts of child endangerment and drunk driving with injury in the May 12 incident in which his car overturned after striking the tree at 1100 Sunset Cliffs Blvd. at 8:30 p.m.
He was also accused of driving a measurable amount of alcohol over the legal limit. Police officers found empty bottles of alcohol in the car. San Diego Superior Court Judge Laura Halgren ordered him held to answer on all five charges in a preliminary hearing in which two police officers testified.
Bences has pleaded not guilty. He remains free on $100,000 bond under condition that he wear a Scram device that determines if he ingests alcohol. He is also banned from driving with children as passengers, according to court records.