Spokane7
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February 7, 2011 in City
Driver in crash near GU released from jail
A Spokane woman accused of hitting two pedestrians while driving near Gonzaga University was released from jail Monday.
Sarah Elizabeth Burford, 33, was released on her own recognizance after appearing in Spokane County Superior Court on two counts of vehicular assault.
Burford registered a blood-alcohol level of .093 on a portable Breathalyzer test administered after the crash at North Hamilton Street and East Sharp Avenue, which occurred just before midnight. The test was administered about an hour later, according to a probable cause affidavit.
The legal limit for driving is .08. Police are waiting further toxicology results.
Burford, who has no criminal record, told police she “looked away from the roadway for a short time and then heard an impact,” according to court documents. She said she’d consumed two sweet tea alcoholic drinks about an hour and a half before the crash, police said.
Dana Walters, 21, has been released from the hospital; Lara Tuthill, 19, remained in intensive care Monday but is in stable condition, police said.
A witness told police Walters and Tuthill, who run cross country for Gonzaga, were about three feet south of the crosswalk at Sharp when they crossed Hamilton.
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monkeyman on February 07 at 8:15 p.m.
“…Burford registered a blood-alcohol level of .093 on a portable Breathalyzer test…The test was administered about an hour later…”
Just wondering what is the typical alcohol “burn-rate” - so as to estimate the actual blood alcohol level one hour prior to the test.
An average person “processes” one drink per hour or something like that, so perhaps someone has already run the numbers…?
Why after about an hour? Is she related a someone in the policeforce ;)
monkeyman on February 07 at 8:27 p.m.
She may have had 0.110 BAC at the time of accident.
http://www.craftbeer.com/pages/beerology/blood-alcohol-content-calculator
I put in these numbers:
130 pounds,
6% beer
16oz serving
2 servings
Female
0.015 average metabolic rate…
Hours since last beer: 0 1 2 3
Estimated BAC: 0.110 0.095 0.080 0.065
This calculator is probably for someone sitting on the couch. I bet her heart was racing after the accident, i.e. higher metabolic rate, so the initial BAC may have been even higher.
terrymr on February 07 at 8:36 p.m.
A portable breathalyzer isn’t accurate for anything other than screening who needs a real test. They also register all kinds of innocent chemicals in breath.
monkeyman on February 07 at 8:50 p.m.
Terry MR on February 07 at 8:36 p.m.
“A portable breathalyzer isn’t accurate other than screening …”
So you are implying that its results are not used (or cannot be used) in deciding criminal charges? Pardon my ignorance.
I expect they took a blood sample for further tests… the article doesn’t mention anything further.
monkeyman on February 07 at 8:51 p.m.
“Police are waiting further toxicology results.”
I guess it does…sorry.
terrymr on February 07 at 9:38 p.m.
Monkeyman, yes they’re not admissible in court because they also register substances other than alcohol, acetone being one (by-product of fat metabolization) - and the circumstances of the test are less than scientific.
DickAdams on February 07 at 9:47 p.m.
Consequence when you drink. I wish the courts would remember that when a alcohol heavy drinking judge renders a decision. Too many drunks sitting on the bench through the years. Its no wonder those imbibing in the grape don`t get it.
SpokalooKid on February 08 at 2:02 a.m.
City, or highway dept., or whoever makes the decision—Needs install one of those crosswalks that flash brightly on this crosswalk. Very surprised something hasn’t already been done. With Jack & Dan’s and Safeway on that side of street; so many GU students crossing all the time. And a lot of people are ‘speeding’ up Hamilton, as just came off the freeway, especially if they have green light at Trent when coming off freeway.