Southern Utah woman arrested for DUI after collision that put cyclist on life support, police say

ST. GEORGE — A woman was arrested Friday after police say she hit a cyclist while under the influence.

Lacee Winder, 26, was booked into the Washington County Jail for investigation of DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia, distribution of a controlled substance and negligently operating a vehicle causing serious bodily injury.

St. George police were dispatched to the scene of a collision at 1300 W. Sunset Blvd. at 6:08 p.m. Friday, where they found a male cyclist lying unresponsive in front of a Kia Sorento, with the bicycle behind the vehicle. Preliminary reports indicate the cyclist was crossing the road in an unmarked crosswalk at the intersection of 1300 West and Sunset Boulevard, and Winder told police she did not see the cyclist, according to a police booking affidavit.

The cyclist is currently on life support with no brain activity, the affidavit states.

Police then spoke with Winder, who told police she was delivering pizza at the time of the crash. When asked if she used prescription drugs, Winder told police she uses marijuana, according to the affidavit. Police were able to confirm she had a valid medical marijuana card.

Winder told police there was marijuana in the car, but that it was purchased in Nevada, not Utah, the affidavit says. Winder then allegedly told police she had used marijuana at 11 a.m. at her boyfriend's house in Washington, Washington County. She was arrested after failing field sobriety tests at the scene, police say.

A search warrant was issued for Winder's boyfriend's apartment, where officers reported discovering multiple marijuana items and a firearm with a destroyed serial number.

The cause of the accident and the circumstances involving the cyclist crossing the road remain under investigation.

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