MARION COUNTY — The three-day bench trial is scheduled to begin this morning for a 22-year-old Iuka man charged with murder for a fiery DUI crash in Salem earlier this year.

Justin Bullard is accused of causing the death of 66-year-old Nita Mobley earlier this year when he allegedly crashed into her vehicle while he was street racing and under the influence of alcohol.

According to crash reports, Mobley was pronounced dead at the scene. She was reportedly attempting to turn left from West Main onto South Hotze Road when Bullard’s eastbound pickup truck struck her car, causing it to burst into flames.

Bullard and his 25-year-old passenger, Austin Back, also of Iuka, were transported to Salem Township Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

In addition to being charged with first-degree murder, Bullard is also charged with Class 2 felony aggravated DUI resulting in a fatal crash, Class 3 felony reckless homicide, and Class 4 felony aggravated street racing.

Bullard decided last month to have his case tried by a judge rather than a jury trial.