Robert Owen Basinger, needing the assistance of a wheelchair, appeared in court today and quietly listened as he was charged with gross vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence and causing injury.

The Sacramento State student sat in a packed courtroom for his first court date, which lasted about 2 minutes.

“Yes,” was the only thing Basinger said to Judge Russell L. Hom when asked if he wanted public representation. Basinger did not have an attorney with him today.

Basinger is due back in court April 1.

Basinger allegedly crashed his vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and later killed a 59-year-old elementary school teacher who was driving near by.

Sacramento Police arrested the 22-year-old man Monday night.

The car crash killed Mary Sekul, whose name was released by the Sacramento County Coroner’s office. She was pronounced dead at the scene off Folsom Boulevard and 47th Street, according to city police.

Sekul was an art teacher for the San Juan Unified School District. A memorial service is scheduled for her 7 p.m. tonight at the Sacred Heart Church off J Street in Sacramento.

Basinger was also taken to the hospital for moderate injuries before he was booked at the Sacramento County Jail, Sacramento Police Sgt. Matt Young said.

Gamaliel Ortiz can be reached at [email protected].