Prosecutors have charged a Casper man with aggravated vehicular homicide in connection with a March car crash that killed a 72-year-old woman.

Justin Daniel Breazeale, 23, is also charged with driving under the influence causing serious bodily injury. He faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted.

Tests taken after the crash indicated Breazeale had cocaine in his blood and urine, according to an affidavit signed by a Casper police detective.

Police believe Breazeale was behind the wheel of a Ford pickup involved in a March 15 head-on collision near the intersection of Second and Pennsylvania streets. The driver of the other car, Madeline Rakestraw, died at Wyoming Medical Center a short time after the crash.

The impact knocked Rakestraw's car back about 50 feet and sent the truck into a metal storage container that was pushed back about 16 inches.

Breazeale's girlfriend, who was riding with him at the time of the crash, told investigators she was looking at something in her lap when she felt the truck swerve. When she looked up, she realized they were in the wrong lane and yelled at Breazeale, according to the affidavit.

He didn't respond, she claimed.

Police say they tried to speak with Breazeale at the hospital after the crash, but he said he didn't want to without an attorney. His mother reportedly told investigators he had passed out at the time of the crash and didn't know why.

Both vehicles involved in the crash were later examined as part of the investigation. No mechanical problems were found other than those consistent with the collision, according to police.

Breazeale appeared in Natrona County Circuit Court on Monday, where a judge set his bond at $100,000. He is expected back in court within a month for a preliminary hearing.

He remained held Tuesday at Natrona County Detention Center.

Reach crime reporter Joshua Wolfson at (307) 266-0582 or at josh.wolfson@trib.com. Read his blog at tribtown.trib.com/JoshuaWolfson/blog.