Lawyer: 'Melrose Place' Actress Was Chased Before Fatal Crash

SOMERVILLE, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) - The trial of a former "Melrose Place" actress facing charges of aggravated manslaughter in the death of New Jersey woman began Thursday.

Amy Locane-Bovenizer's lawyer said his client was being chased by another driver minutes before a June 2010 crash that left 60-year-old Helene Seeman dead.

Locane-Bovenizer faces 10 to 30 years in prison if convicted.

Attorney Blair Zwillman told a Somerville jury that Locane-Bovenizer was pursued for 4 miles by a woman whose car she had rear-ended, the Star-Ledger reported.

Zwillman said the woman honked her horn and flashed her lights, causing Locane-Bovenizer to drive well over the speed limit.

The chase ended when the Locane-Bovenizer slammed into a vehicle pulling into a Montgomery Township driveway driven by Fred Seeman.

Seeman was hospitalized in critical condition. His wife, who was also in the car with him, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Assistant prosecutor Matthew Murphy said Thursday Locane-Bovenizer's intoxication caused the crash.

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