Irvine man charged with vehicular manslaughter

A 37-year-old Irvine man who police say struck and killed an Irvine woman in a car accident in Newport Beach in May has been charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, prosecutors said Wednesday.

On May 2, Frank Felipponio was southbound on East Coast Highway when his 2007 Mustang GT skidded off the road more than 100 feet, striking personal trainer, Lori Rae Jamieson, who was walking the trails of Crystal Cove State Park with a friend, police said.

Felipponio attempted to switch from second to third gear, but shifted into first gear by mistake, sending the car into a spin, police said.

According to the complaint Felipponio acted “without malice and without gross negligence,” at the time of the crash.

Felipponio was also charged with a speeding infraction, exceeding 75 mph on the stretch of highway just before the crash.

Investigators do not believe drugs or alcohol played a part in the accident.

— Kelly Strodl