Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 2, 2008

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Christine Cook

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

KENWOOD WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY IN HIGHWAY 12 VEHICULAR DEATH

District Attorney Passalacqua announced that Chelsea Tedeschi, 22, of Kenwood, pled guilty yesterday to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. Tedeschi also pled guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol causing great bodily injury, and driving with a blood alcohol concentration over .08% causing great bodily injury. Tedeschi also admitted the special allegation that her blood alcohol concentration was over .15% at the time of the collision.

On July 17, 2007, at approximately 9:50 p.m., Tedeschi was driving her car eastbound on Highway 12, near the Oakmont retirement community. A witness driving behind Tedeschi’s car observed Tedeschi cross over the double yellow lines into the westbound lane approximately seven times. This same witness observed Tedeschi cross over the solid white fog line another seven times. The witness lost sight of Tedeschi, as Tedeschi accelerated to approximately 75 miles per hour.

The victim vehicle, driven by 16 year-old Doug Todd, was traveling westbound on Highway 12. Doug Todd’s mother, Beverly Todd, was in the front passenger seat. Doug saw the headlights of Tedeschi’s car coming at him in his lane, and swerved to avoid a head-on collision. Despite Doug’s efforts to avoid the crash, Tedeschi’s car struck the front passenger side of Doug’s car at full speed. The collision killed Beverly Todd and broke Doug Todd’s foot.

The defendant admitted to drinking and taking prescription medications before the crash. Based on a blood test taken after the crash, the defendant had a blood alcohol concentration of .22%, more than two and a half times the legal limit.

Defendant Tedeschi faces a maximum of 13 years and eight months in state prison for her crime. Sentencing will take place May 29, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. in Department 4 before the Honorable Rene Chouteau.

This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney David Barkhurst. The lead investigator was California Highway Patrol Officer Juan Leon.