Attorney: Meth Didn't Impair Fiesta Island Defendant's Driving

Theresa Owens faces felony charges of driving under the influence causing injury for the wrong turn on a one-way route around Fiesta Island on August 12, 2014.

A San Diego woman accused of driving into a group of cyclists on Fiesta Island did have methamphetamine in her system at the time of the crash but was not impaired, her attorney argued in court Wednesday.

Theresa Owens faces felony charges of driving under the influence causing injury for the wrong turn on a one-way route around Fiesta Island on August 12, 2014.

Owens’ vehicle struck the cyclists, paralyzing one and injuring nine others.

Prosecutors said lab results show Owens tested positive for meth.

At the time of Owens’ arrest, officers say they found a bag of meth in the defendant’s vagina, prosecutors allege.

The defense argues that even though Owens had meth in her system, her driving was not impaired at the time of the crash.

If convicted, Owens faces up to 18 years in prison.

The crash prompted the city of San Diego to improve signs and road safety in the area to prevent another incident.

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