BEND, Ore. (AP) - A driver accused of killing a female cyclist in Bend berated other cyclists after she struck the woman, prosecutors said.
Shantel Witt, 41, was accused of hitting 38-year-old Marika Stone with her pickup truck as Stone was cycling with two others in December, the Bend Bulletin reported Tuesday.
Deputy district attorney Kari Hathorn said Witt had briefly drove off, but returned to the scene to yell an expletive at Stone’s surviving companions.
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“She is a danger to the community because of her lack of remorse,” Hathorn said.
Witt was charged with manslaughter, driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving and reckless endangerment.
She failed three field sobriety tests at the scene and acknowledged to officers that she took painkillers and muscle relaxers, according to court records. Officers found empty beer cans, prescription drugs and a 9mm pistol in her vehicle.
Witt’s lawyer, Bryan Donahue, did not immediately return a phone message from The Associated Press.
Witt was placed on house arrest immediately after her Tuesday hearing in Deschutes County Circuit Court. Judge A. Michael Adler denied a motion by the prosecution to increase her bond amount from $270,000 to $500,000, but he imposed all other requested conditions. Those included the house arrest, GPS monitoring, a prohibition against driving and a requirement to wear an ankle monitor with an alcohol sensor.
Witt is scheduled to be arraigned on indictment February 6.
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Information from: The Bulletin, http://www.bendbulletin.com
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