Oscar-winning Pulp Fictionscreenwriter Roger Avary was arrested last night after a fatal car crash northwest of Los Angeles.
Avary (42) was charged with vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence, said a spokeswoman for the Ventura County Sheriff's Department, adding he was released from jail after posting $50,000 bail.
The collision occurred in the city of Ojai, 80 miles (130km) northwest of Los Angeles, at about 1am.
A passenger in Avary's car, Italian Andreas Zedini (34), died at a local hospital, and Avary's wife suffered serious injuries after being thrown from the car.
Mr Avary co-wrote Pulp Fictionwith the film's director, Quentin Tarantino, and the crime classic won the screenplay Oscar at the Academy Awards in 1995.
The extent of Avary's contribution to the movie has long been debated, however, and it tore apart the two former best friends.