As the trial date for a former UNC student accused of driving the wrong way in a fatal crash on I-85 last summer is approaching, a local judge has once again denied defense motions to suppress evidence in the case.

Superior Court Judge Allen Baddour ruled on Thursday that the state can use evidence from Chandler Kania’s cell phone and his blood-alcohol content from the night of the crash.

Kania is accused of driving the wrong way on I-85 in Orange County last July for at least six miles before crashing head-on into another vehicle, killing three of the four passengers in the vehicle – 49-year-old Felicia Harris, 46-year-old Darlene McGee and six-year-old Jahnice Baird.

Records show the crash occurred after Kania and a group of friends had spent several hours drinking. Kania’s blood-alcohol content was registered as a .17 following the crash, according to law enforcement, which is twice the legal limit to drive in North Carolina. Kania was also underage at the time of the crash.

After Baddour’s ruling, that blood-alcohol content and the evidence from Kania’s cell phone will now be allowed in the trial. Kania’s attorneys had also argued that the warrant for Kania’s cell phone was illegally served, but Baddour previously ruled against that motion as well.

Kania is facing three counts of second-degree murder, among other charges.

Kania trial is set to begin on Monday.

Related Stories
‹
Orange County Activates Cooling Centers Through Fourth of July Weekend
Orange County announced it will activate cooling centers from July 3-5 as North Carolina braces for extreme heat over the weekend.
Celebration of Independence Day to Alter Local Government Services in Orange County
The celebration of Independence Day on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 will affect several local government services in and around Orange County. Here’s a look at what typical services will and won’t be happening during the weekend: Town of Chapel Hill All Chapel Hill administrative offices will be closed Friday, July 3, as […]
Drone Shows and Parades: Here's What to Know Before Orange County's July 4 Celebrations
A variety of July 4 festivities are set to take place across Orange County. Here's how local governments are celebrating.
Viewpoints: America at 250: The Revolution Happened Here, Too
Two questions continued to nag at me: How many generations of my family had lived in Orange County? And was Jacob Albright my direct ancestor?
Orange County: Extreme Heat, Crisis Diversion Facility, Tax Administrator
Chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners Jean Hamilton speaks with 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Wednesday, July 1.
'A Long Time Coming': Orange County's Crisis Diversion Facility Set for Construction This Summer
The Orange County Board of Commissioners recently took a major step in its effort to expand local behavioral health services.
The Morning News: Crisis Diversion Facility, Learfield Director's Cup, UNC-NC State Basketball
In today's news: Orange County moves ahead on a new Crisis Diversion Facility, and UNC finishes fourth in the Learfield Director's Cup.
Orange County Health Director Quintana Stewart Stepping Down; Interim Leader Named
Quintana Stewart, the health director who helped lead Orange County through its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, is departing the role this summer. Dorothy Celinti, who has served as the interim twice before, will take over.
How Will Orange County Fill Bedford's Vacant Seat? Two Groups Will Decide
As Jamezetta Bedford's peers continue to process her death, they also have decisions to make on who will fill her vacant District 1 seat.
Orange County: Remembering Jamezetta Bedford, Open Seat Protocol, County Events
Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jean Hamilton spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, June 24, discussing county news and events. She shared the personal, professional, and public service impact of fellow commissioner Jamezetta Bedford, who passed away earlier in the week. She also outlined the legally mandated process for filling the empty seat on the county commissioners, and more.
›