Charged with drunk driving in fatal accident, Staviski headed for trial
SOFIA, Bulgaria -- World ice-dancing champion Maxim Staviski, charged with drunk driving and causing a fatal accident, appeared at a pretrial hearing Thursday.
The skater was charged in an accident that left a 23-year-old man dead and his 18-year-old female companion in a coma for nearly four months. Police said Staviski's blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit.
The trial is expected to begin Jan. 30. Staviski, who has not entered a plea, faces three to 10 years in prison. He is free on bail.
"It is a grave tragedy. I do not want to comment," Staviski said before the hearing. He later said he would walk with his "head down for my whole life."
Staviski and Albena Denkova won their second consecutive ice dancing title in March at the world figure skating championships in March.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
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