Maricopa University has distanced itself from a former administrator facing manslaughter charges stemming from a hit-and-run incident in May.

Chris Vodka, 58, a former administrator of Central Arizona University, was sued in Pinal County Superior Court last month after the crash that killed motorcycle driver Hector Tuala, 25, on May 13. He pleaded not guilty to a felony charge.

Prosecutors said Vodka’s car crashed into Tuala near Casa Grande’s Virago Parkway and Pinal Avenue just after midnight.

According to Casa Grande Dispatch, Tuara was thrown off his motorcycle and died on the spot.

Vodka reportedly drove home and was later arrested by police.

Mr. Vodka served as CAC’s vice president of operations and chief financial officer. He has also served on the Board of the Maricopa Chamber of Commerce and the Maricopa Economic Development Alliance.

The CAC hired Vodka in 2010 but is no longer employed by the university, said Maggie Almquist, associate director of public affairs.

Maricopa Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kelly Anderson could not confirm whether the impending charges ended Mr. Vodka’s term.

“Our archived files are in offsite storage,” said Anderson.

MEDA President and CEO Christian Price has distanced himself from Mr. Vodka. He said the relationship was superficial and ended in 2018.

Mr. Price said Mr. Vodka was the representative of Maricopa’s Small Business Association and helped oversee Maricopa’s college campus.

“He only attended MEDA occasionally and only when the (CAC) president was unable to attend in person,” Price said.

Vodka posted $5,000 bail on May 25, according to court documents.

A pretrial hearing on Vodka’s daunting legal battle is scheduled for August 7.