Irvine woman arrested for manslaughter in cyclist’s death

A 39-year-old Irvine woman was arrested on suspicion of killing a cyclist while driving under the influence of prescription drugs, authorities said Wednesday.

Hasti Fakhrai-Bayrooti had been detained after her car collided with cyclist Eric Billings, 54, killing him, according to a news release from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

The collision occurred on March 15 on Santa Margarita Parkway south of El Toro Road, near Trabuco Hills High School, the sheriff’s department said.

Fakhrai-Bayrooti had “drifted into the bicycle lane,” striking Billings, the release stated.

Fakhrai-Bayrooti was detained at the scene and then released pending the results of a blood test for intoxication. After test results showed “the presence of prescription drugs,” sheriff’s department investigators forwarded their case to prosecutors.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office filed a charge of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated against Fakhrai-Bayrooti, who was arrested Tuesday at her Irvine home.

She posted $100,000 bail on Wednesday and was released from custody.