Published: September 15, 2005 12:19 am         

Woman gets suspended sentence for alchohol-related accident

By Cass Rains

Staff Writer



A woman accused of causing an accident that caused great bodily injury while driving under the influence received a five-year suspended sentence Tuesday in Garfield County District Court.

Elizabeth Ann Fischer, 40, entered a plea of no contest as part of a plea agreement for her involvement in a two-car accident on July 4, 2004, near the intersection of York and Van Buren.

According to information filed by the district attorney’s office, the charges stemmed from the head and other traumatic injuries Fischer’s daughter, Elizabeth D., suffered in the accident.

According to the charges, Fischer’s blood-alcohol level was greater than .08, making her incapable of safely driving a motor vehicle.

Fischer was turning left from Van Buren onto York in a 2003 Honda Element when she collided with a 1991 Honda Accord, according to an EPD report.

Both drivers had a green light at the time of the crash, but the police report indicates Fischer turned improperly and the other driver was speeding.

The driver of the 1991 Accord also was legally drunk at the time of the accident.

Fischer’s three children were hurt in the collision. Her 7-year-old daughter was taken to Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City by helicopter, while her 12-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter were transported to St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center.

The charge of causing an accident causing great bodily injury while driving under the influence carries possible penalties of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.