According to a CHP report, Keilah Marie Coyle, 22, of Novato, was driving south in a Ford F-150 truck shortly after 11 p.m. that drifted over Highway 29’s solid double yellow lines, hitting a GMC van head-on that was headed north – killing two Clearlake residents.
The scene of the vehicle accident was Highway 29 near Bar cross road north of Middletown.
Both Cassandra Elaine Rolicheck, 53, and Miguel Maciel Dominguez, 47, of Clearlake, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Coyle was arrested at the scene for allegations of driving under the influence.
During a recent settlement conference, Main pled no contest to Gross Vehicular Manslaughter with vessel while intoxicated and DUI with Alcohol while causing injury. Both charges are felonies.
The People state the Blood Alcohol Level (BAC) of the defendant was .1515.
The matter has been referred to the Lake County Probation Department for the preparation of a pre-sentencing report.
The sentencing hearing has been set for March 7, 2022 at 3 p.m. in Department 3.
On a motion of the People, the Court orders the balance of the charges and any related allegations dismissed in the interest of justice and the People’s belief that the remaining counts could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt at the time of trial.
Therefore, the following charges are dismissed – two counts of Gross Vehicular Manslaughter, one count of Gross Vehicular Manslaughter with vessel while intoxicated, two counts of Vehicular Manslaughter – Gross Negligence and one count of DUI – Alcohol while causing injury.
In October of last year, the defendant was not in custody, appearing via zoom for an arraignment on an information hearing.
Coyle had been charged with two counts of Gross Vehicular Manslaughter while intoxicated, two counts of Gross Vehicular Manslaughter with Vessel while intoxicated, two counts of Vehicular Manslaughter with Gross Negligence and two counts of DUI – Alcohol while causing injury.
During a hearing last March the Court was inclined to refer the issue of bail to the Lake County Probation Department for a Bail Study. Counsel was in agreement with a bail study.
During a Bail Review Hearing last April, Mr. Hodson, counsel for the defendant, declared a doubt as to the defendant’s ability to stand trial. The Court ordered the proceedings suspended and ordered Dr. Taylor Fithian be appointed to evaluate the defendant and prepare a report regarding the defendant’s competency to stand trial.
Upon inquiry, Mr. Hodson advised the Court that the defendant is not contesting a finding of incompetence.
In May, during a Doctor’s Report Hearing, the Court had received, read and considered the Doctor’s Report.
Based upon the evidence, the Court found that the defendant was competent to stand trial. Criminal proceedings were ordered reinstated.
At that time, the defendant entered a Not Guilty Plea to all counts of the Complaint, denying the special allegations.
During a preliminary hearing last month, witness testimony was heard, and several of the People’s exhibits were presented, such as autopsy reports of both victims, a vehicle inspection report, two factual diagrams of the scene and a Forensic Alcohol analysis, the matter was argued and submitted.
The Court found that the felony violations had been committed and there was sufficient cause to believe that the defendant is guilty, thereof, and ordered she be held to answer to the charges.
The defendant retained attorney Tim S. Hodson as her counsel in March of last year.
During an earlier hearing the Court took up the defendant’s motion to reduce bail and/or release defendant on her signed promise to appear.
A letter of admittance from Salvation Army residential treatment program was received into evidence as Defendant’s Exhibit A.
Mr. Hodson stated the defendant does not have any prior convictions and is low/no risk to public safety if she is in a residential treatment.
The defendant was released on a written promise to appear with condition(s), understanding and accepting the conditional release.
During a Bail Review Hearing in June of last year, the defendant requested to be released to a Residential Treatment Program. Mr. Hodson requested the bail review hearing be continued at that time in order to allow time for a program to be identified.
The defendant is ordered to be present at the sentencing hearing next month.
