In a Colorado case that garnered national attention, the driver who killed pro cyclist Magnus White was sentenced to 4 years in prison.
The driver who hit and killed Magnus told Colorado State Patrol investigators on the scene that she had an issue with her steering that caused her to veer off the road. Colorado State Patrol told CBS Colorado there were no indicators of impairment, and she was never tested for any substances.
“The very first thing that Colorado State Patrol said to us was the driver did everything right,” said Jill. “That raised a question mark in our heads. ‘Really? Our son is dead. How did the driver do everything right?'”
Text messages and cell phone videos presented at trial revealed that the driver, 24-year-old Yeva Smilianska, had been drinking, washing down prescription medications with whiskey, and staying up until the early morning hours the day of the crash. — CBS News
Yikes, police initially said “driver did everything right”. Phew. I wonder how they (the police?) dug up all this evidence?
In any event, the “issue with her steering that caused her to veer” sounds eerily reminiscent of a February 2023 Goodyear crash where a driver killed 2 and injured many (misdemeanor charges are still pending June 2025). Extensive investigation (including by none other than the NTSB) indicated no evidence of steering malfunction; but apparently you can’t blame a guy (or gal) for tryin’.
sickening all the way around. In goodyear, if there is evidence contrary to the defendants claims, why wont the county attorney prosecute for manslaughter?