St. George, Utah – A 26-year-old woman is in custody after allegedly driving under the influence, resulting in a serious collision with a cyclist on Friday night, authorities confirmed. The incident left the cyclist on life support with no brain activity, highlighting the dangers of impaired driving in the area.
Collision Details
According to the St. George Police Department, officers were dispatched at 6:08 p.m. to the scene at 1300 W. Sunset Boulevard. Responding officers found a male cyclist lying unresponsive in front of a Kia Sorento, with the bicycle behind the vehicle.
Preliminary reports indicate the cyclist was crossing the street in an unmarked crosswalk at the intersection. The driver, Lacee Winder, 26, reportedly told police she did not see the cyclist, according to the police booking affidavit.
Alleged DUI and Drug Involvement
Police said Winder was delivering pizza at the time of the crash. During questioning, she admitted to using marijuana, which she legally possessed with a medical marijuana card. Winder reportedly had consumed marijuana earlier in the day, around 11 a.m. at her boyfriend’s house in Washington, Utah.
Winder failed field sobriety tests at the scene and was subsequently arrested. She faces multiple charges, including:
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Distribution of a controlled substance
- Negligent operation of a vehicle causing serious bodily injury
Search of Boyfriend’s Residence
A search warrant executed at Winder’s boyfriend’s apartment at 3151 E. Fourteen Fairway Drive, Washington, uncovered:
- Multiple marijuana items
- A firearm with a destroyed serial number
Winder’s boyfriend reportedly confirmed that Winder had been using marijuana that morning and had purchased it in Nevada on his behalf.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the accident, including the cyclist’s crossing at the unmarked crosswalk and the circumstances surrounding Winder’s alleged impairment.
Police emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and more charges could be forthcoming as additional evidence is reviewed.
Have you or someone you know been impacted by a DUI accident? Share your thoughts, experiences, and safety tips for preventing impaired driving in the comments below.
