DUI Suspect Pleads Not Guilty to Murder

Kevin Hogrefe entered not guilty pleas to murder, and felony-hit and-run charges following a crash that left a veteran Ventura County sheriff’s deputy dead.

The 25-year-old Camarillo man was appointed a public defender.

Prosecutors said his prior DUI in Nevada led to an increase in his bail from $150,00 to $500,000 Thursday.

Sheriff Geoff Dean said the entire law enforcement community is mourning the loss of Deputy Eugene Kostiuchenko. The 41-year-old was on the force for more than a decade. He had just finished a traffic stop on the northbound 101 near Lewis Road when he was struck and killed.

Officers said they arrested Hogrefe for DUI after he crashed his car on the Los Posas off-ramp.

Kostiuchenko is survived by his wife, who works for the FBI, and two adult stepsons.

A public celebration of Kostiuchenko’s life will be held Tuesday at the Calvary Community Church. Burial will follow at Pierce Brother Valley Oaks in Westlake Village.

A memorial fund has been set up at the Ventura County Credit Union.