Hearing for man accused of killing Segway rider postponed

Los Gatos resident Dick Chappell, 83, who pleaded not guilty last month to vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, was in court Tuesday but the scheduled hearing was delayed. 

Chappell is accused of causing the Oct. 23, 2011 traffic accident that killed San Jose resident Marschelle Syverson, 72, who was riding a Segway motorized scooter at the time of the accident. Police said Chappell was intoxicated while he was driving the vehicle that collided with Syverson. 

The accident happened in a crosswalk on Butterfield Boulevard at Jarvis Drive, police said. Syverson was riding the Segway through the crosswalk when Chappell hit him. 

When officers arrived at the scene they found Syverson lying unconscious in the middle of the road, police said. He was transported to an area hospital where he died of injuries suffered in the accident.

Witnesses at the scene helped officers identify the suspect, who remained at the scene following the accident, police said. Chappell was arrested at the scene.

Chappell is out of custody on bail, according to authorities. His next court date is scheduled for March 20 at South County Courthouse, according to South Santa Clara County Supervising Deputy District Attorney Steve Lowney. 

If convicted, Chappell faces a maximum sentence of four years in prison.