Woman pleads guilty to DUI resulting in death
A 19-year-old woman accused of causing a crash that killed two people in February pleaded guilty Tuesday to two counts of driving under the influence resulting in death.
Anita Mann faces two to 40 years in prison. A sentencing hearing was scheduled for June 8 before District Judge Valorie Vega.
Authorities said that Mann had a blood alcohol level of 0.26 percent, more than three times the legal limit of 0.08, when the car she was driving slammed into the rear of a sport utility vehicle on Feb. 16. Killed were Henderson residents Karen Hicks and Louis Madden, both 65.
On Tuesday, when Vega asked her if she was guilty of the crimes alleged by prosecutors, Mann, a soldier with the Nevada Army National Guard, said, "Yes, your honor."
After the hearing, Madden's sister, Sylvia Pierce, said she was happy Mann pleaded guilty. "I just want it to be over," Pierce said. "It's very hard to keep coming here to court."
Mann's attorney, Steve Wolfson, did not comment after the hearing but earlier had said that his client wished to take responsibility for what she had done.
As part of the plea agreement prosecutors will not speak at the sentencing hearing. Family members of the victims are expected to address the court at that time.
According to her arrest report, after the crash Mann told Henderson police with slurred speech that she had been drinking, was drunk and should be taken to jail.
The crash occurred about 11:40 a.m. on Horizon Ridge Parkway at Shaded Canyon Drive, near Gibson Road.
According to grand jury testimony, Mann told investigators she had been drinking rum at a park before the crash.
Mann is being held at the Clark County Detention Center on $240,000 bond, according to jail records.
Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.
