California cyclist brothers who had traveled to Utah to take part in bike race ‘struck and killed by driver, 47, who told cops she lost control of car because she was uncontrollably DEFECATING’
- Julie Ann Budge, 47, has been arrested in connection with the deaths of two cyclists who she allegedly hit while driving under the influence on Saturday
- Budge was booked into Washington County Jail in Utah on two counts of automobile homicide and two counts of DUI with serious bodily injury
- Budge hit the two men who were from California and were participating in the Spring Tour of St. George timed bike ride
- Budge told police she had ‘various medical issues’ and had began uncontrollably defecating herself without warning causing her to veer into the bike lane
- Budge swerved and hit the two cyclists, who she said she didn’t see at the time
- The pair were unresponsive at the scene after the smash and died in hospital
A woman from Utah who mowed down two brothers riding their bicycles before driving off from the scene has blamed her irritable bowel syndrome for causing the fatal crash.
Julie Ann Budge, 47, told officers she had been taking various medications in order to treat a number of medical issues including for irritable bowels, which caused her to ‘defecate on herself without warning,’ she told police.
The condition, she claims, caused her to essentially lose control of her vehicle and slam into the bicyclists, who were competing in the Spring Tour of St. George.
The cyclists were near Washington City, 300 miles south of Salt Lake City, at noon on Saturday when Budge’s Hyundai suddenly veered into the bike lane and smashed into both of them.
A woman from Utah allegedly slammed her car into two brothers who were taking part in a cycling race. The remains of part of the bikes lay strewn across at Utah highway on Saturday
Budge explained to officers how she had been behind the wheel when she ‘began to uncontrollably defecate on herself while driving, so she swerved,’ arresting documents seen by KUTV state.
She reportedly told police that she knew she had hit the two individuals, but was not able to bring her car to a stop.
A witness at the scene of the accident told a very different version of events, noting how it ‘appeared that Julie did not have the intention of stopping after hitting the two cyclists,’ the arresting officer wrote.
‘The witness stated he followed Julie’s vehicle until she pulled over and stopped several hundred yards away from the accident.’
Attempts were made to save the brothers’ life but they were unresponsive.
The pair were taken to two St. George Regional Hospital where they both died from their injuries. So far, their identities have not been revealed.
When police finally caught up with Budge, she failed all field sobriety tests.
Budge claimed that she had been in hospital on Friday and received Fentanyl through an IV drip.
Arresting documents stated that Budge failed all-field sobriety tests. An affidavit details how she had previously been convicted for DUI in 2015.
Budge was arrested on suspicion of two counts of automobile homicide due to criminal negligence; two counts of failure to remain at an accident involving death and two counts of DUI with serious bodily injury by negligent operation.
She is also facing a misdemeanor charge of reckless driving and an infraction for improper lane travel.
The cycle race can range from anywhere between 30 to 100 miles and takes in some beautiful Utah scenery
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