Woman who plowed through bicyclists on Fiesta Island to appear in court

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – A woman who was allegedly on drugs when she drove into a group of cyclists on Fiesta Island, critically injuring one rider, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Tuesday at the downtown courthouse.

Theresa Lynn Owens, 49, is charged with driving under the influence of a controlled substance and possession of methamphetamine.

Deputy District Attorney Jessica Coto said Owens drove the wrong way on a one-way road about 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 12, plowing into a group of 16-20 cyclists while traveling about 30-35 mph, hitting 10 of the riders head-on.

One rider, 43-year-old Juan Carlos Vinolo, was permanently paralyzed from the waist down, suffered a collapsed lung and lost a kidney.

Witnesses said Owens got out of her car after the accident and appeared to be under the influence, screaming and acting erratically. She was taken to the hospital, where a baggie of methamphetamine was located in a body cavity, Coto said.

Following today’s preliminary hearing, a judge will determine whether enough evidence was presented for Owens to stand trial. The defendant faces up to 12 years and eight months in prison if convicted.