In a somber turn of events that unfolded earlier this year, Cynthia Phelps, 64, has entered a guilty plea in a heartbreaking DUI incident that left two members of a family dead and others grievously injured. During her appearance in court yesterday, she conceded to two counts of DUI resulting in death and another for DUI resulting in substantial bodily harm. This confession comes after the devastating crash on the evening of April 17, where, according to police, Phelps drove her Kia Rio down Boulder Highway in the wrong direction, plowing into an unsuspecting family at a bus stop near Sahara Avenue.
As reported by News 3, Phelps, who was originally indicted on 10 charges, was permitted to plead guilty to three during the Monday proceedings. The fatal collision claimed the lives of 14-year-old Erik McPherson and his stepfather, Robert Higgins, 42. The teen's mother, Amber Reedy, was left fighting for life with severe injuries and has since been coming to terms with an extended and arduous road to recovery—awakening from a coma on June 22 and now facing the challenge of learning how to interact and move anew.
This tragic event has also left two young lives in its wake, siblings of the deceased teenager, who were likewise seriously injured in the crash. Phelps, who appeared in court needing headphones to hear the proceedings, communicated her plea through a microphone to District Judge Ronald Israel. She has admitted to not only driving under the influence but also to being considerably over the speed limit, exceeding it by about 20 mph, a grim detail provided by The Review-Journal. At the daunting scene, Phelps expressed to police that she might have had a seizure and had no recollection of the incident, although officers noted a "strong odor" of alcohol on her after the crash.
Looking ahead, Phelps is confronted with a considerable span in incarceration, with each DUI count carrying a potential sentence of two to 20 years, augmented by fines ranging from $2,000 to $5,000. The judge is expected to decide whether her sentences will run concurrently or consecutively. This determination will be made during a sentencing hearing slated for August 19.
