Oct 29, 2009 6:18 am US/Eastern
DA: Queens Driver Consumed Heroin, Crack & Booze
Sheila Bethea, 45, Held On $500,000 Bail On Rikers Island
By ROB MORRISON, CBS 2 HD News
QUEENS (CBS) ―
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The Queens district attorney said on Oct. 28, 2009, that the 45-year-old woman at the center of a minivan crash that killed two children had consumed alcohol and drugs prior to the accident.
CBS
Shocking details were revealed in court on Wednesday about the woman accused in a car crash that killed two children.
Prosecutors said she downed a cocktail of heroin, crack cocaine and alcohol in the hours leading up to the minivan crash.
Wearing baggy clothes provided for her at Jamaica hospital, Sheila Bethea arrived at Queens Criminal Court for arraignment. The 45-year-old faces manslaughter as well as multiple assault and endangerment charges stemming from Monday's crash that claimed the lives of two children, with one other in critical condition.
Admitted into evidence Wednesday night was an alleged confession to police in which Bethea admits to using crack cocaine, heroin and consuming alcohol on the day of the crash at the intersection of Arcade Avenue and Dunkirk Street.
The reaction in the neighborhood was swift.
"Oh man, they should throw the book at her. She took lives," one person said.
Bethea has claimed an extensive medical history, saying she has AIDS, hepatitis, two hernias and psychological issues which require medication.
She also allegedly told police she knew she was driving fast that day while taking her mother's five foster children to the foster agency. She claimed she lost control of the car because of a temporary back tire.
Two men who refused to identify themselves showed up for Bethea's arraignment but left without saying a word.
Bethea was taken to Rikers Island from court, where she is being held on $500,000 bail. Also, the judge signed three orders of protection barring Bethea from having any contact with the three surviving children.
Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said Bethea admitted to police she did not know 5-year-olds needed to be in car seats.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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