Seven weeks after plowing into a cyclist with her van while driving drunk, a woman has pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter, DUI and failure to stop at the scene of a crash, and now faces up to a 31-year prison sentence, as reported by The Roanoke Times.
Before going out to drink in downtown Roanoke on March 31 R.D., 33, had complained to a friend via text, "Dude, I've had a f------ horrible Monday." She struck and killed E.W., 59, a few hours later on Franklin Road with her 1999 Honda Odyssey. According to Senior Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Wanda DeWease the impact sent E.W. 89 feet.
Defense attorney Deborah Caldwell-Bono explained to Judge David Carson that the victim failed to wear a bicycle helmet, which caused him to suffer with multiple skull fractures.
E.W. died at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital a few hours after the collision.
R.D. failed to stop after the accident. Instead she drove another three-tenths of a mile – while dragging E.W.'s bicycle under her car. According to DeWease, witnesses saw "sparks flying up from underneath the van" that were caused by "the metal handlebars of the bike."
Videotaped footage of the accident was captured from a nearby business. DeWease said that the tape showed the bike scarring the pavement before R.D. pulled over and parked in a restaurant's parking lot. She then took out her cellular phone and made five phone calls to her sister, asking to be picked up – she never telephoned 911.
Officers that arrived on scene noted that R.D.'s flip-flops were under the bicycle, which was next to her van. R.D. herself was not there; she was in an adjacent parking lot. DeWease told he court, "She said she was there and was waiting for a ride from her sister. When the officer asked her if she knew why he was there, she lowered her head and nodded."
Two hours after the crash R.D.'s blood alcohol content was measured and found to be 0.24 percent.
R.D. has a DUI conviction from January 2004 in Orange County.
Evidence entered in court by DeWease included the approximate amount of alcohol R.D. consumed the day of the crash. The 5-foot-1 tall and 120-pound R.D. had a receipt for a half pint of whisky purchased before 11:30 that morning, went for drinks after work for two hours and then made two more stops.
It is unclear as to how much alcohol R.D. may have consumed, however, she did admit to a police officer that she was a new member of the Jack Brown's Notch Club. To be a member a person has to consume all 100 beers offered at Jack Brown's. R.D. had a Jack Brown's t-shirt with her name personalized on it in her purse at the time of her arrest. She joked that she hadn't had all 100 that night.
If you have been charged with DUI, DWI, OUI or OWI, contact a DUI attorney from our directory to represent you. Only an attorney experienced in defending drunk driving charges can benefit you at this time.