On Wednesday, the Summit County Attorney’s Office formally filed charges against the 16-year-old driver who struck Silver Creek resident Lacey Picard, on Sept. 5.
Picard, 37, was horseback riding along Silver Creek Road when the driver ran into her, killing her horse and sending Picard to the University of Utah Hospital in critical condition, where she remained in a coma for weeks.
The driver has been charged with three misdemeanors including reckless endangerment with a maximum sentence of one year in jail and/or $2,500 fine. Aggravated cruelty to an animal, with a maximum sentence of six months in jail and/or $1,000 fine, and careless driving which carries a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail and/or a $750 fine. The Park Record does not release the name of minors charged with crimes.
Summit County Sheriff’s office said the teenager may have been speeding and driving distracted at the time of the accident.
In a statement released by Summit County Attorney David Brickey, the charges were presented to Picard’s family and her attorney who were “supportive of the charges.”
Picard was recently transferred to the South Davis Community Hospital, an assisted care and rehab facility. She can open her eyes and blink, but is still unable to communicate, fellow Silver Creek resident Dawn Bowes told The Park Record.
According to a blog created by Picard’s friend, Aubrey Sauer, to update friends on her condition, Picard sustained a massive traumatic brain injury and multiple fractures in the accident. She is still unable to communicate and unresponsive except for occasional eye contact.
Picard worked as a chiropractor in Holladay and has lived in Utah for five years.
She was uninsured at the time of the accident and her friends have set up an account in her name to help cover the medical costs. To find out more visit loveforlacey.wordpress.com/how-to-help/.
The driver is scheduled for her first court appearance on Nov. 4 in Third District Juvenile in Summit County.
Lacey Picard’s family released the following statement on Friday, Oct,. 14: Lacey Picard (“Lacey”) and her family, through her attorney, John P. Ball of Parsons Behle & Latimer, make the following statement. Lacey sustained very serious injuries as a result of a tragic accident that occurred on Labor Day on Silver Creek Road, Park City. Lacey was thrown from her horse after being struck by an automobile. She sustained numerous injuries including a traumatic brain injury. Lacey remains in a coma but her condition is improving slowly.
Lacey and her family are thankful for all of the community support they have received throughout this ordeal. Lacey is currently in a long-term care facility and will eventually move on to a rehabilitation center when her condition improves.
Lacey’s family believes that this tragic accident can serve as a reminder to all drivers of the significant danger of distracted driving. Distracted driving has caused, and continues to cause, serious accidents in Utah and throughout the country. Lacey’s family asks that all drivers pay more attention when driving and refrain from the use of cell phones and other technological devices that distract drivers.
We all look forward to Lacey’s recovery. A fund has been set up to help pay for Lacey’s care and rehabilitation. If you would like to contribute to this fund, Lacey’s family requests that you contact Wells Fargo at 6480 Highway 224, Park City, UT 84098, Attn: Danny Clark/Lacey Picard Donation Fund or Mountain Life Evangelical Free Church via Facebook Cause Page at the following link, http://www.causes.com/causes/634702-lacey-picard-fund.