Solana Beach

A Solana Beach man with two prior convictions for drunk driving was ordered Wednesday to stand trial for felony drunk driving and vehicular manslaughter in the hit-and-run death of a Rancho Santa Fe physician.

Jeffrey Alan Hinrichs, 34, an unemployed fisherman, faces 11 felony charges in the death of Dr. Anthony Armino, 51, who had his office in Solana Beach. Vista Municipal Judge David W. Ryan, after a one-day preliminary hearing, ordered Hinrichs arraigned Feb. 23.

Among the charges against him are possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine for sale; investigators allege that a quarter-pound of cocaine was found in the car Hinrichs was driving after the crash.

Armino was riding his bicycle south along Old U.S. 101 in Encinitas shortly before 5 a.m. Sept. 27 when he was struck from behind.

Hinrichs was arrested after a short chase by sheriff’s deputies when his car crashed into a tree.

Sheriff’s Deputy Sherry Bishop testified that Hinrichs’ blood alcohol was 0.14. The legal limit for intoxication is 0.10.

Asked to describe Armino’s bicycle after the crash, Bishop said: “Basically it looks like it was exploded.”

Hinrichs had drunk driving convictions in 1986 and 1987, as well as convictions and citations for speeding, reckless driving, and driving with a suspended license. He is being held without bail in the County Jail in Vista.