A Catholic priest accused of a hit and run accident that killed a Navajo man is set to go on trial in Arizona today.

Bishop Thomas J. O'Brien will admit he was driving the car that struck Jim Reed last June. But defense attorneys, who are being paid with church insurance, say he did not knowingly leave the scene of a serious or fatal accident.

Reed, 43, of Tuba City, died on the street. O'Brien did not stop after hitting him and continued to use his car, which had a broken windshield and blood-stained roof, after the accident.

Get the Story:
O'Brien's trial starts Monday (The Arizona Republic 1/11)
Jury selection to begin today in O'Brien's trial (The Arizona Republic 1/11)

Relevant Links:
Arizona's priest scandal - http://www.azcentral.com/specials/priest

Related Stories:
Catholic bishop pleads not guilty in hit and run case (07/08)
Navajo man, victim of hit and run, buried (06/23)
Woman: Hit and run victim appeared intoxicated (6/20)
Ariz. bishop caught in hit and run case resigns (6/19)
Bishop's alcohol use at issue in hit and run death (6/18)
Ariz. bishop arrested for hit and run death (6/17)