Orange County Driver Convicted on Vehicular Manslaughter Charges Based on Ambien, Xanax and Cough Syrup in System

The Daily Pilot reports on a vehicular manslaughter conviction that took place yesterday in a really tragic case: one based on a driver hitting a bicyclist while the driver was under the influence of Ambien, Xanax and Cough Syrup.  That's intriguing to me because those are, of course, all legal drugs -- though certainly not the type of drugs that one would ordinarily ingest before getting behind the wheel.

(Above: Police investigate the vehicle involved in the accident in 2006. Photo by Richard Koehler for the Orange County Register.)

Johns, 53, of Irvine was found guilty on all counts after hitting Tift with her Lexus Aug. 23, 2006 as Tift was riding her bike. Prosecutors said Johns was on a cocktail of prescription drugs Xanax, Ambien sleeping pills and cough medicine when the accident happened.

Johns was found guilty of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving under the influence with injury. She faces up to 10 years in prison or a minimum of one year with probation. She is scheduled to be sentenced July 18.

“This was the most disappointing verdict I have ever had in my career,” defense attorney Gary Pohlson said.

Johns’ defense tried to argue that she was so grief-stricken by the death of her husband weeks before the accident that she was in an unconscious state when the accident happened, meaning she was not liable.

A very sad case, no matter how you slice it. The Orange County Register has coverage here.

Comments

[Ambien Prescription Information]

My name is Catherine Snow and i would like to show you my personal experience with Ambien.

I have taken for 1 years. I am 57 years old. Works great if I take it on an empty stomach, and get right into bed. If you take it and try to keep yourself awake, you can override the pill and be up all night.

Side Effects :
None.

I hope this information will be useful to others,
Catherine Snow