Indictment for woman accused of striking cyclists

Authorities in Maryland have reported that a 54-year-old woman is facing 11 charges stemming from an accident in June 2014 that left two cyclists injured. Police say that the woman’s blood alcohol level was nearly double the .08 percent legal limit at the time of the crash. In addition to drunk driving charges, the woman is facing two counts of assault in the second degree.

Police say that the two cyclists were riding in a designated bicycle lane on the Governor Ritchie Highway on June 28 when they were struck from behind by a motor vehicle. The vehicle is said to have strayed onto the shoulder, which is designated as the Baltimore and Annapolis Trail. Emergency medical services determined that one of the cyclists, a 23-year-old woman, had suffered life-threatening injuries, and a helicopter was called in to transport her to a trauma center in Baltimore. A second helicopter was used to transport the second cyclist, a 27-year-old man, to the same medical facility.

The woman accused of striking the two cyclists was indicted on July 18, and court records indicate that her trial is scheduled to take place in November. If convicted of all charges, she could face up to 20 years in prison.

This case demonstrates that the penalties for driving while under the influence can be severe in Maryland, and this is especially true if an accident occurs that causes serious injury or death. However, prosecutors must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, and a criminal defense attorney may challenge evidence such as police statements or the results of toxicology tests. Breath and blood tests may be unreliable when strict protocols are not followed, and some individuals may be found to have artificially high blood-alcohol levels due to certain medical conditions.

Source: WJLA, “Robin Vera Colbert, Annapolis driver who ran two bicyclists off the road, arrested on 11 charges,” July 25, 2014

Source: CBS Baltimore, “Annapolis Woman Indicted On Assault, DUI Charges After Hitting 2 Bicyclists”, July 25, 2014

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