CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Norma Jean Hunter will be sentenced on Nov. 10 for causing the death of cyclist Jacob Simmons after striking him with her vehicle while she was driving impaired.
Hunter, 44, pleaded guilty in Supreme Court Friday to driving with a blood alcohol level over .08 per cent causing death and to a second charge of leaving the scene of an accident.
Crown attorney Nathan Beck read the agreed statement of facts into court.
Beck said 27-year-old Simmons was cycling eastbound on Route 210 in Kinross on June 12. Hunter, travelling in the same direction, struck the rear tire of the bicycle.
Simmons, who was wearing a bicycle helmet, was thrown onto the vehicle before hitting the road. The cause of death was blunt force injuries to the head, neck and abdomen.
Extensive debris was spread over a distance of 100 feet.
A witness called 911 to report the collision.
Hunter left the scene but a police officer who later approached her vehicle immediately detected a strong odour of alcohol and observed that Hunter’s eyes were glassy. She was arrested for impaired operation of a vehicle causing death.
Hunter provided breathalyzer samples that were twice the legal limit.
A pre-sentence report will be prepared.
