Michael Laurence Campbell’s court-appointed attorney told a Hennepin County judge Thursday that Campbell did not believe he was intoxicated before the car crash in the northeast Minneapolis that resulted in the death of his passenger, St. Thomas junior Ria Patel.

Campbell was charged Wednesday in Minneapolis with two counts of criminal vehicular homicide: operating a motor vehicle in a grossly negligent manner and leaving the scene of the crash.

Police found and arrested Campbell Tuesday at his mother’s house in Wright County, his attorney Douglas Myren said at Thursday’s hearing. He was initially held in custody at the Hennepin County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Myren argued at Thursday’s hearing for a $5,000 bail with conditions. He said Campbell had panicked and left the scene because he believed that Patel was already dead.

“This is not an intentional crime. Mr. Campbell did not want this to happen,” Myren said at the packed hearing.

The judge gave Campbell two options: $250,000 bail, or $150,000 with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device, refraining from drug and alcohol use, and complying with random drug testing.

As of Saturday morning, bail remained at $250,000.

The judge also ruled Campbell must undergo a chemical dependency evaluation. The criminal complaint noted Campbell has a prior conviction for possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle.

The hearing was attended by Patel’s and Campbell’s family members.

The criminal complaint said Campbell hit a traffic light around 3:40 a.m. Sunday at the intersection of Stinson Boulevard Northeast and Ridgeway Parkway. Multiple witnesses saw Campbell flee the scene on foot.

K-9 units searched the area for Campbell but could not find him. Police found Campbell’s driver’s license at the scene and responded to his listed address. Numerous people were present in the home and confirmed that Campbell lived there but were unaware that he and Patel had left the house. One person stated Campbell had been “super drunk,” according to the criminal complaint.

“He does not believe he was intoxicated at the time he left the house,” Myren told the judge Thursday in court. But according to the criminal complaint, Campbell told authorities that he had consumed alcohol prior to driving the vehicle.

The complaint said Campbell has multiple prior driving convictions for serious speed, failure to stop at a stop sign, careless driving, and a January 2017 hit-and-run, for which he is serving probation.

His next hearing is 9 a.m. Oct. 18.

Mary Brickner can be reached at bric0029@stthomas.edu.