Local News in Brief : Woman Pleads Guilty in Death of Cyclist
A 25-year-old Simi Valley woman who authorities say struck and killed a motorcyclist while driving drunk has pleaded guilty to a charge of vehicular manslaughter while under the influence of alcohol.
Daphne Lynn Carey entered the plea Wednesday as her trial was about to start on one count of gross vehicular manslaughter while under the influence of alcohol. That charge carries a sentence of 4 to 10 years in prison.
The lesser charge, to which Carey pleaded guilty, carries a sentence of 16 months to 4 years of incarceration, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Rebecca Dewees.
Carey was driving east on Parthenia Street at Balboa Boulevard on Aug. 28, 1987, when she ran a red light and struck a motorcycle ridden by John Hamaker, 35, authorities said. Hamaker, who was not wearing a helmet, died instantly of head injuries, Dewees said.
Two passengers in Carey’s car, her 8-month-old son and a 23-year-old man, were not injured.
Carey’s blood-alcohol content after the crash was measured at 0.19%, nearly twice the level at which a driver is considered drunk, authorities said.
Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Alan B. Haber set sentencing for Jan. 20.
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