Driver in deadly crash cited again

SANDPOINT - A Washington state woman who was convicted of vehicular manslaughter has been cited for driving without privileges while on furlough from the Bonner County Jail.

An arraignment and pretrial conference in the latest charge against Bowdeen Sui-Lan Kahuhu is set for June 10 in Bonner County magistrate court.

Kahuhu, a 32-year-old from Newport, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor manslaughter charge after colliding with a runner and a cyclist on Highway 41 in Blanchard on Aug. 14, 2010. The two were participating in an interstate relay race.

The cyclist, Patricia Ann Lambie, was killed in the collision. Lambie, a 46-year-old from Greenacres, Wash., was chaperoning the teenage competitor, who survived the crash. Both the teen and the Lambie were wearing reflective gear when they were struck at about dawn.

Kahuhu was originally charged at the felony level, although it was reduced to a misdemeanor after intoxication was ruled out as a factor in the collision, which was attributed to sleep deprivation.

Kahuhu told Idaho State Police she fell asleep at the wheel.

Judge Barbara Buchanan imposed the maximum sentence of a year in jail, but Kahuhu successfully appealed for a reduction and has since been released.

Surviving members of Lambie's family opposed both the reduced charge and the reduced sentence.

While incarcerated, Kahuhu was allowed work release, although the privilege was revoked after sheriff's officials allegedly found her using it to spend time with friends and family, a sheriff's report said.

Kahuhu was subsequently granted a furlough to attend counseling sessions twice a week. Kahuhu typically secured transportation to and from the sessions, but was also spotted by sheriff's officials earlier this month driving herself to and from the jail in the Dodge Grand Caravan involved in the fatal crash, according to court documents.

The minivan had two different Washington license plates on it, a deputy's report said.

Kahuhu's license to drive was suspended for one year as a result of the manslaughter conviction. Driving without privileges is a misdemeanor offense.

It remains unclear if Kahuhu new offense will affect her probation in the manslaughter case. A standard condition of probation prohibits a defendant from violating the law at the misdemeanor or felony level.