Trial in Powers case moved to May 10

COEUR d'ALENE — A trial scheduled to start last week was moved to this spring for a woman facing three felony charges stemming from two serious vehicle accidents she allegedly caused on Jan. 21, 2014, in Coeur d'Alene.

Kara L. Powers, 35, of Coeur d'Alene, is now scheduled to be tried by a jury starting May 10. First District Court Judge Lansing Haynes will be on the bench for the seven-day trial in Kootenai County.

In court documents, Powers' attorney James Siebe wrote that the parties haven't been able to set, schedule and hear pretrial motions.

Siebe also added the defense hasn't had an opportunity to have the blood drawn from his client after the accidents be analyzed by an independent lab, or make arrangements for a toxicologist to testify for the defense.

He said another defense expert witness had a schedule conflict.

Authorities said Powers was driving an SUV when it collided with another vehicle.

A good Samaritan pulled over to check on the drivers involved. At that point, Powers — who according to police reports was wearing a bathrobe, sweatpants and slippers — allegedly walked to the Samaritan's car and drove away with it.

According to police investigators, Powers allegedly drove that car at high speeds and rear-ended a pickup on Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive near Potlatch Hill. Both vehicles rolled multiple times, and the pickup's driver was injured.

Prescription pills were allegedly found in Powers' SUV by investigators.

Powers is charged with aggravated DUI, leaving the scene of an injury accident, and grand theft.