TheWashCycle

Driver in fatal Fauerby-Rosenbusch crash sentenced to three years

I missed this last month, but Catherine Frances Lyon, the driver who struck and killed John Henrik Fauerby, 64, and Lynne Frances Rosenbusch, 58 as they rode their tandem bike near Chesapeake Beach, MD last October, was sentenced in August. Lyon was driving drunk and was originally charged with 9 counts, which was quickly lowered to 4 - two counts of negligent homicide-DUI and two counts of vehicular homicide - driving while impaired. This was not her first time being caught driving drunk.

Last May she pleaded guilty to two counts of automobile manslaughter, which carried a maximum penalty of 10 years each, but she was expected to only be sentenced to something between 3 months and 8 years. She got 10 years for each count, but all but 18 months of it was suspended. After 3 years in prison, she'll have 5 years probation.

This is a bit tougher than usual. For those charged with a crime in the traffic death of a cyclist in the DC area, the average sentence is 15 months. For those convicted in DUI-related deaths it's 2 years 8 months (but some drivers were not charged, and others not convicted). 

 

Driver in 2014 DC drunken hit and run now serving 17 months

In 2014, 53-year-old Tonya Reaves was riding her bike on 8th Street NW near S Street when she was struck by a "light colored SUV". The SUV's driver then fled the scene south in the direction of Rhode Island Avenue. A month later, the driver, Dajane Thomas was arrested. She was indicted on five counts, and charged with murder II, DUI, reckless driving, hit-and-run and driving without a license.

Late last year she pleaded guilty to felony negligent homicide and reckless driving, and in February, she was sentenced to 17 months for the first charge and 3 for the second to be served concurrently. Because that included time served, she'll be released July 2017. 

A civil case was settled out of court. 

Tandem Cyclists hit from behind, killed by drunk driver in Calvert County

The Washington Post reported yesterday:

Two residents of upper Montgomery County were killed in southern Maryland Saturday afternoon when their tandem bicycle was struck by a vehicle from behind.

John Henrik Fauerby, 64, and Lynne Frances Rosenbusch, 58, both of Clarksburg, were riding the bicycle north on Tobacco Road in Calvert County about 3 p.m. when the crash occurred near Tobacco Lane in the Chesapeake Beach area, the sheriff’s office said.

In a statement, the office said Catherine Frances Lyon, 62, of Huntingtown, Md., was charged with driving under the influence and homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence.

Capital Gazette adds:

Police determined that Lyon was under the influence of alcohol at the time and she was arrested and charged with nine traffic violations and criminal charges, including driving under the influence and homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence. She was released on $200,000 bond, according to court records.

Other charges include violating the 3 foot passing distance, failure to avoid collision, following too closely, failure to control vehicle speed while passing, reckless driving and negligent driving. But it looks like those have become "inactive" and all that is active now are two counts of negligent homicide-DUI and two counts of vehicular homicide - driving while impaired. 

It may not surprise you to find out that she was arrested almost exactly a year ago (10/22/14) in Calvert County and charged with 2nd Degree Assault, Alcoholic Beverage Intoxication: Endanger ("was intoxicated and did endanger [the safety of ______/the property of ______].") and Disorderly Conduct.