Woman charged with vehicular manslaughter for fatal crash
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A woman who was the driver in a crash that killed her passenger has been charged with vehicular manslaughter.
Patricia Martha Murphy, 31, with addresses in both Willits and Lucerne, was the driver in a crash late on the night of Jan. 16 that resulted in the death of 30-year-old Justin Dale of Lucerne.
Shortly before midnight Murphy, driving a 2012 Volkswagen, hit the rear of a parked Ram 550 work truck on westbound Highway 20 east of Lake Street in Lucerne.
Dale died of his injuries at the scene and Murphy was taken to Sutter Lakeside Hospital for treatment of minor injuries, authorities said.
California Highway Patrol officers arrested her shortly after the wreck as they suspected she was under the influence of alcohol.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchliff said he has charged Murphy with felony vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence and felony driving under the influence causing bodily injury.
She appeared in Lake County Superior Court on Tuesday for arraignment, with attorney Sterling Thayer appointed to represent her, Hinchcliff said.
Hinchcliff said she is being held without bail and her preliminary hearing is set for Feb. 16.
Deputy District Attorney Danny Flesch has been assigned to handle the case, Hinchcliff said.
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