| For Immediate Release Case # 11CF0864 December 3, 2012 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami
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DRUNKEN DRIVER FACES TRIAL FOR KILLING TEEN BY CAUSING CRASH THAT KNOCKED VICTIM OVER FREEWAY GUARDRAIL
WESTMINSTER – A drunken driver faces trial tomorrow for killing an 18-year-old man by causing a crash that knocked the victim over a freeway guardrail to a more-than 50 foot fall. Ashley Selina Bryan, 26, Highland, is charged with one felony count each of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated with gross negligence, driving under the influence of alcohol causing bodily injury, driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 percent or more causing bodily injury, and a sentencing enhancement for multiple victims. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 11 years and eight months in state prison. Opening statements are expected to begin Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012, in Department W-9, West Justice Center, Westminster.
At approximately 11:55 p.m. on April 2, 2011, Bryan is accused of driving under the influence of alcohol in a Honda Civic northbound on California State Route 57 in Orange. The defendant is accused of failing to avoid a disabled Chevrolet Camaro, which was stopped on the right shoulder. The driver of the Camaro, Logan Vescio, 18, was seated in the passenger seat of his disabled vehicle. Victim Cameron Cook, 18, had been a passenger in the Camaro and was standing outside of the vehicle near a guardrail.
The force of the crash caused by Bryan pushed the Camaro into Cook, who was knocked backward over the guardrail. The victim fell approximately 50 to 60 feet and landed on a concrete embankment below the freeway.
Cook was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after 5:00 a.m. Vescio suffered abrasions to his face and knee. The defendant was transported to the hospital for minor cuts and bruises.
Responding officers contacted the defendant at the hospital. Approximately two and a half hours after the crash, the defendant is accused of having a blood alcohol level of .17 percent, more than twice the legal limit.
The California Highway Patrol investigated this case. Deputy District Attorney Anna McIntire of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
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