Townsend woman charged with striking bicyclists appears in court
By J.J. Kindred | (jj.kindred@thedailytimes.com)
A Townsend woman who allegedly struck and injured two bicyclists in Townsend last August waived the right to a preliminary hearing during an appearance in Blount County General Sessions Court Wednesday morning.
Amy Shondale Myers, 32, Wears Valley Road, was charged with driving under the influence, two counts of vehicular assault, two counts of violating the 3-foot law (Jeff Roth Bicycle and Pedalcyclists Protection Act of 2007) and two counts of leaving the scene of an accident with death or injury
The two counts of vehicular assault were amended to felony reckless endangerment, under an agreement with Myers’ attorney, public defender Tiffany Karofsky, and Assistant District Attorney Ryan Desmond, in front of Judge Robert Headrick.
An informational hearing for a plea has been scheduled for 9 a.m. Nov. 19 in Blount County Circuit Court.
Myers remains free on a $9,600 bond. The arrest is the result of a year-long investigation into the accident that injured two bicyclists, Franklin R. Woody and Barry W. Crowson, both of Maryville.
They received multiple injuries after Myers allegedly struck them while the two rode along East Lamar Alexander Parkway near Cowboy Tubin.’
Myers then fled the scene, according to Townsend Police Chief Ronnie Suttles.
Myers was injured later in a second accident on Old Walland Highway, losing control of her vehicle and striking a utility pole.
