A San Mateo County woman has been convicted of murder in a case involving a fatal DUI that took the life of a cyclist last summer. Samantha Mei Hartwell, aged 33, was found guilty on all charges by a jury, which included second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter, and felony DUI causing great bodily injury. In July 2022, Hartwell, with a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of .18 and two prior DUI convictions, hit and killed a 60-year-old cyclist before colliding with another vehicle.
The tragic chain of events unfolded on Highway 1 when Hartwell, driving a Nissan, swerved and struck Thomas Hampe. According to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office, Hampe was then knocked down an embankment, tragically losing his life. Following the initial impact, Hartwell's car veered into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a Subaru, grievously injuring its two passengers.
Samantha Mei Hartwell (33) was found guilty on all counts by a jury, including 2nd-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter, and felony DUI causing great bodily injury. Hartwell struck and killed a cyclist in July '22 and was arrested with a .18 BAC with 2 prior DUI convictions. https://t.co/t0CbZJAq8f pic.twitter.com/vJLNZ7nY3w
— San Mateo County District Attorney (@SanMateoCoDA) May 30, 2024
In the aftermath of the catastrophe, Hartwell and the injured passengers were airlifted to Stanford Hospital. The District Attorney's Office detailed that the driver of the Subaru required several surgeries to her feet due to the extent of her injuries. Shockingly, no one noticed Hampe at the scene, and it was not until hours later that he was found deceased after his wife reported him missing.
Hartwell's checkered past with the law adds a grim context to the jury's decision. According to revelations from the District Attorney's Office, her BAC at the time of the deadly accident was .17/.18, well above the legal limit, with this incident marking her third DUI offense. She also faced multiple convictions for driving on a suspended license.
Hartwell's arraignment is set for June 15 at 8:30 am.
