SEAL BEACH : Driver Cited in Boy’s Death Wasn’t Drunk

The woman who police believe caused an accident that killed a 12-year-old boy last week did not have alcohol in her system when the accident occurred, according to blood and urine test results released Thursday.

But police are still awaiting the results of additional drug tests before concluding whether 28-year-old Seal Beach resident Cynthia Kaye Lietz was intoxicated.

If she is found to have been driving under the influence, Lietz could face added child endangerment charges because her young daughter was a passenger in her car at the time of the July 26 accident, said Police Sgt. Don Dye.

Lietz has already been charged with hit-and-run driving and driving with a suspended license. The Orange County district attorney’s office also could charge her with manslaughter.

A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for Aug. 25.

Police said that Lietz caused the accident when she suddenly swerved out of her northbound traffic lane on Seal Beach Boulevard, forcing an adjacent car to jump the curb and hit Christopher Schneider.

The 12-year-old was waiting to walk his bike across Seal Beach Boulevard at Bolsa Avenue at the time.

Lietz fled the scene of the accident but was arrested a few minutes later. At the time, police said they suspected she had been driving while intoxicated.

The accident will be the focus of a public meeting today at 7:30 p.m. at the Mary Wilson Library in Seal Beach.

Some residents have called for the speed limit on Seal Beach Boulevard to be lowered from the current 45 m.p.h.

City officials said they will conduct a traffic study of the area but noted that speed was not a factor in the accident.