Woman involved in fatal pedestrian accident Friday was on meth

Sarah Burrows-Gust, 25, used methamphetamine before leading her children into traffic Friday night where all three were hit by a driver and her daughter was killed, according to court documents filed Tuesday. Burrows-Gust crossed North Monroe Street near West Montgomery Avenue with daughter Elayna Burrows-Gust, 5; son Evan Burrows-Gust, 7; and a dog in tow around 6:15 p.m. Friday, according to witnesses. A white sedan traveling about 35 miles per hour, driven by a 68-year-old woman, struck the pedestrians, who were taken from the scene with varying levels of injury. Elayna Burrows-Gust was pronounced dead Saturday morning. Sarah Burrows-Gust was last listed in critical condition and Evan in serious condition, but improving. Hospital tests came back positive for methamphetamine in Sarah Burrows-Gust’s system, according to an Intensive Care Unit nurse. Police have seized samples to conduct their own tests, and are considering filing charges of second-degree manslaughter in the case. The investigating officer criticized Burrows-Gust’s choice of crossing location in court documents filed Tuesday. “Clearly there were better locations for Burrows-Gust to have crossed the street with the two small children and the dog on a leash,” the officer wrote. A traffic signal and pedestrian crossing were available about a half a block from where the street crossing was attempted. A Child Protective Services officer contacted law enforcement Monday and told investigators Burrows-Gust has an open case of child neglect, involving domestic violence and drug abuse, according to court documents. No charges have been filed in the case.