Wingfield's bail was revoked on a 2005 case.
SPRINGFIELD — Michael Wingfield, 35, of Springfield, was ordered held in lieu of $250,000 cash bail or $1 million surety on Tuesday after denying charges relating to the death of 19-year-old Ashley Ballester.
Michael WingfieldWingfield, of 30 Longfellow Terrace and 70 Harrison Ave., entered not guilty pleas to motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident resulting in death and four other charges.
But for now, Wingfield, represented by Adam Narris, is held without right to bail as District Court Judge William J. Boyle revoked his bail on an older case.
A default warrant was issued Dec. 9, 2005, for Wingfield when he failed to appear for his jury trial on charges of resisting arrest, possession of marijuana, and possession of a Class B drug with intent to distribute.
The hit-and-run crash killed Ballester and seriously injured Ballester's nearly 2-year-old daughter on Sumner Avenue in the Forest Park neighborhood Friday night.
Wingfield turned himself in to police on Monday morning.
Ballester, was in the process of filling out the paperwork needed to start her first semester at American International College in the fall, where she was accepted into the nursing program, according to her mother, Gloria Ballester.
Ashley Ballester's daughter, Lailani, was tossed from her baby carriage in the collision and landed on the side of the road.
Gloria Ballester was in court for the arraignment, with two other people and a victim witness advocate.
Lailani remains in the pediatric intensive care unit at Baystate Medical Center, but is showing signs of improvement, according to her grandmother. She suffered some broken ribs, a collapsed lung and an abrasion to her liver. She also needed 25 staples to close a gash in her head, her grandmother said.
Wingfield is also charged with negligent operation, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, using a motor vehicle without authority and operating a vehicle without a license.
Assistant District Attorney Melissa Doran and Narris agreed to a next court date of Aug. 29.
A police press release said Ashley Ballester was pregnant, but that was not mentioned at Wingfield's arraignment.
