Woman pleads guilty to crash that killed one bicyclist and paralyzed another

Patricia Beyer, the woman accused of killing a cyclist and paralyzing another last summer on U.S. 26 pleaded guilty in court Wednesday.

Beyer pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter and failure to maintain vehicle insurance.

“I know it’s going to take a very long time but I hope that one day you can find peace,” said Beyer as she held back tears talking to the court Wednesday morning.

Bill and Susan Davis, the parents of the cyclist killed, Anne Davis spoke in court as well. The parents talked about their daughter’s life and the sentencing they would like to see- which included a lifetime suspension of her driver’s license.

After the defense and prosecutor spoke, Judge Stephen Clark sentenced Beyer. “I do not like these cases,” said Clark. He added he saw the remorse Beyer felt and the pain it’s caused the Davis family as well as Laura Stark, the other cyclist now paralyzed from the waist down. Clark added that because Beyer pleaded guilty he believed that spoke volumes about her character.

Beyer has a history of driving without insurance, the prosecutor pointed out in court Beyer also had a charge for fleeing the scene of an accident a few years ago. Judge Clark said he did take that into consideration during the sentencing.

Clark sentenced Beyer to 365 days in jail with 305 days suspended. For the 60 days she serves in jail she will be able to participate in work release. The judge also sentenced Beyer to a 3 year absolute suspension of her driver’s license with a 5 year restricted permit. The judge also issued a fine of $1,000 and suspended $500. Beyer will make payments over then next few months.

The state will have 2 months to come up with a formal restitution amount, it could equal $27,500 based on medical and court costs.

“Nothing brings her back,” said Bill Davis. Bill and Susan asked the judge for a lifetime suspension of her driver’s license along with jail time and restitution.