PHOENIX — A judge has refused to lower the bond for a Phoenix man accused of driving the wrong way on a freeway and killing a city fire department dispatcher.
Lawyers for 39-year-old Stephen B. Martin argued Tuesday that his $700,000 bond is excessive and unconstitutional and should be lowered to $50,000.
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Pamela Gates denied the motion.
Martin was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder, endangerment, and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia after the Jan. 27 crash.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges in February.
Authorities say Phoenix Fire dispatcher Megan Lange was driving home after her shift ended and was fatally injured when her vehicle crashed head-on with Martin's SUV on Interstate 17.
The 26-year-old Lange was a married mother of two young children.