Two Cyclists Cling to Life; Teen Accused of DUI

[michelem]

This happened in El Dorado Hills, CA earlier this week. Of course, the 19-year-old drunk driver has no physical injuries . . . she is currently out on bail.

http://www.news10.net/news/local/sto...8&provider=top

http://www.news10.net/news/local/sto...=43522&catid=2

[maillotpois]

She should lose her license permanently.

[MM_QFC!]

Yeah, she should...wonder if she's got a record of this stuff, like the driver who hit me does...
In the meantime, I'm hoping that these riders continue to recover; it sure looks like it'll be a long, tough process. All while the driver walks, drives, lives and freely participates in any/all of her usual activities - sheesh!

[maillotpois]

All while the driver walks, drives, lives and freely participates in any/all of her usual activities - sheesh!

Yeah, great "activities".

[RolliePollie]

I live in El Dorado County and everyone is talking about this. It just makes me sick! Supposedly the driver was reaching for a water bottle and swerved into the bike lane. We're all wondering just exactly what was in that water bottle. And of course, the driver ends up with no injuries. It seems like she should have to stay in jail at least until the cyclists are released from the hospital. Like MM_QFC said, how unfair. I hope these poor ladies pull through ok. And the driver should definitely get her license pulled permanently. She's under age too, so hopefully that will work against her. I hope our County's DA throws the book at her. Once again, it makes me sick.

A week or so ago, one of our County Supervisors (an elected official) crashed her car, also in El Dorado Hills. She is accused of being drunk. What a nice example to set for all the other residents of our County. Thank goodness she didn't injure or kill anyone.

-sara

[michelem]

Glad she's been taken back into custody:

http://www.news10.net/news/local/sto...=45614&catid=2

July 30, 2008
PLACERVILLE, CA - A 19-year-old woman suspected of drunk driving when she hit two cyclists in El Dorado Hills last month is back in jail, her bail increased at her Tuesday arraignment.

Brandi Thomas had been out on bail since her initial booking on the drunk driving charges. At her Placerville arraignment, however, Thomas was taken back into custody when the judge increased her bail from $35,000 to $100,000.

Thomas is charged with hitting two women on bicycles while they rode northbound on El Dorado Hills Boulevard on the morning of June 18. Both Kathi Sturgeon, 48, and Kathy Hurd, 43, were severely injured.

Sturgeon suffered a traumatic brain injury and is continuing to be cared for at an acute rehabilitation center, according to friends.

Hurd, whose injuries included a fractured back and broken clavicle, was hospitalized nine days. She remains on pain medication and still cannot drive a car, according to her friend, Debby Stone.

Sturgeon and Hurd are members of the Bodacious Biking Babes cycling team, a women's group that bikes in various charity events. At the time of the crash, they were training for a 200-mile ride over two days in July from Seattle to Portland.

Thomas, also of El Dorado Hills, was formally charged with two counts of felony DUI with great bodily injury and two counts of felony DUI with a blood alcohol level above .08. She also faces enhancements of causing bodily injury and driving without insurance.

Her preliminary hearing is set for August 5.