Mugshot of Nicole Lazare. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. CROIX — A woman’s driving privileges have been restricted after she allegedly hit a man on bike with her truck and ran over his foot.
Nicole Lazare appeared for a virtual hearing on Monday where she was advised that she has been charged with driving under the influence and negligent driving. Lazare was arrested on Sunday afternoon when officers were dispatched to River Road in reference to an auto collision. Upon arrival, they made contact with her and the rider of a motorbike who both declined medical attention.
The rider told police that he was traveling east on Plessen Road, and when he made a left turn on River Road he saw a white truck coming towards him on the wrong side of the road. He stated that he applied his brakes hoping that the oncoming vehicle would go left but it did not. According to the individual, the truck hit his motorbike causing him to fall. He also alleged that the truck ran over his foot and continued to drive away. The accident victim said that two unknown males who saw the collision helped him move his bike to the side of the road and then went after the truck to get the driver to turn around.
However, when interviewed by police, Nicole Lazare claimed that she was unaware that she had hit anyone while driving. She stated that she arrived at the gas station and felt as if she needed to go back to see if she did hit someone. According to Lazare, when she arrived back at the location she saw the rider standing next to a damaged bike. A responding officer noted that while speaking to Lazare he observed that her eyes were watery and glossy, her speech was slurred and he smelled what appeared to be a strong smell of alcohol on both her breath and person. When asked if she was drinking, Lazare responded, "No, I didn’t have anything to drink," according to the officer.
According to the probable cause fact sheet, evidence indicated that Lazare collided with the rider because she failed to stay as far left as possible. Officers determined that Lazare "operated her vehicle in a negligent manner by driving intoxicated and willfully showing disregard for the safety of person and/or property." While she refused to submit to a standardized field sobriety test, a chemical test later revealed that she had a blood alcohol content of .263 %, which is above the legal limit of 0.08 %.
Lazare was arrested but later posted bail in the sum of $1000.
During Monday’s hearing, public defender Amelia Joseph requested that Lazare be allowed to maintain her release on the bail that was posted after her arrest. Magistrate Judge Earnest Morris Jr. granted that request but concluded that the defendant’s driving privileges would be temporarily suspended. Attorney Joseph argued for the court to allow Lazare to drive straight to work and back home, which the Judge agreed to, emphasizing that if she is seen driving anywhere outside of her work hours, her bail conditions can be revoked.
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