It is often hard to take the blame for our actions, which can lead to excuses that justify the mistake. Such was the case when a Utah driver struck and killed sibling bicyclists in Washington City, Utah, competing in a race. The brothers were riding in their bike lane when a woman swerved her Hyundai Genesis into them, killing them at the accident scene.
Bizarre explanations
The driver drove on for several hundred yards, seemingly with no intention of stopping, but a Samaritan followed her. Eventually, she pulled over. Then this tragedy took a strange turn. According to the officer’s report, the driver offered various bizarre excuses:
- Her IBS led her to defecate while driving, which distracted her and caused the car to swerve.
- She was in the hospital the previous day and received an IV drip containing Fentanyl.
- She knew she hit the bicyclists but could not get her car to stop.
The woman was previously charged with a DUI and had a history of mental health issues.
The charges include multiple felonies
Officers did a field sobriety test, which the woman failed. She was then taken into custody and charged with:
- Two counts of automobile homicide due to criminal negligence, which are second-degree felonies
- Two counts of failure to remain at the scene of an accident involving death, which are third-degree felonies
- Two counts of DUI with serious bodily injury by negligent operation, which are third-degree felonies
- A class B misdemeanor charge of reckless driving
- An infraction for improper lane travel
These are serious charges
The woman’s actions not only caused the death of innocent people, but her bizarre explanations made international news. Rather than trying to talk their way out of it and make matters worse, defendants are better off speaking with an experienced criminal defense attorney. There may have been mitigating factors for the driver, but it is best to leave all explanations up to an attorney who can prevent the client from digging a deeper hole for themselves.