I just received this media advisory about Jose Rincon, the young man who was killed while riding his bike on January 12. He was struck by Glenda Rumsey, who fled the scene. She had a blood-alcohol content of .246 (!). Ms. Rumsey is out of jail and back on the streets now, still driving. I reported on young Jose Rincon and this awful tragedy here and here and here.
Media AdvisoryIt is unlikely that anything about Glenda Rumsey's driving privileges will change at this hearing, but it is important to show how large the community is that has been affected by this case. We are all at risk from the drunken Rumseys out there--Jose Rincon never had a chance against her, and neither would any of us.
WHAT: Pre-trial Hearing re: Jose Rincon Bike Tragedy - DUI fatality case
WHEN: Wednesday, May 14, 9:45 a.m. Room 580, Pima County Superior Court, 110 W. Congress St., Tucson, 85701.
WHAT: The pre-trial hearing will determine the trial date for Glenda Rumsey, charged Jan. 22 with manslaughter, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, leaving the scene of a fatal accident and extreme DUI.
WHO: The prosecutor is Deputy Pima County Attorney Mark Diebolt, and the judge is the Hon. Judge Richard S. Fields. At the last hearing on March 18, more than 70 family and friends of Jose Rincon attended; more are expected on Wednesday.
Background: On Jan. 12, 2008, Jose Rincon, 14, was hit and killed while riding bikes with a friend on the shoulder of the road off Broadway east of Harrison. According to the Tucson PD police report, the boys were not at fault. The driver, Glenda Rumsey, kept driving and was followed and brought back to the scene on foot by witnesses. She was arrested and more than two hours after the accident measured a .249 blood alcohol level, according to the police report. On Jan. 22, she was charged with manslaughter, aggravated assault, leaving the scene of a fatal accident and extreme DUI.
Media Coverage: To get prior approval for cameras in the courtroom, call Judge Fields' office at 740-8434. Since on-camera interviews are not permitted in the hallways, the Rincon family will gather at the fountain after the hearing. To interview them before the hearing or receive a copy of the police report by mail, contact Beryl Wolfe at 207-9581 or beryl@wolfepr.com. For more info on courtroom camera rules, go to www.sc.pima.gov and click on the Community Relations icon on the left.
Why this is important: Rumsey, of Tucson, is a paralegal. She lost her license for only 30 days, instead of the usual 90, and is currently driving. Her bail was set at only $50,000, considered low for the charges she is facing and for a DUI involving the death of a child. According to the police report, she had been drinking, alone, at a local Chuy's for six hours before Jose was struck by her car and killed – from 1 in the afternoon until 7 p.m., which has not yet been reported by media. The accident occurred shortly after she left Chuy's at 7:20 p.m. when she missed her turn and drove onto the shoulder of the road.
Jose Rincon (jpeg attached) was a straight-A student at St. Michael's Parish Day School, a talented mariachi musician, fun, witty, smart and loved by all who knew him. He also was a model citizen. He was named MVP one summer at the Lute Olsen U of A basketball camp, where the MVP award will be re-named in his honor. He received a perfect score on the UHS entrance exam weeks before his death, but wanted to go to Salpointe - in fact, he took the Salpointe entrance exam on the morning he was killed. Known as "Guapo" among his family, Jose's death is a tragedy in every sense of the word - a huge loss for his family and the Tucson community. Here is a link to the legacy.com obituary and comments: http://www.legacy.com/Tucson/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=101271724
--Erik Ryberg
1 comments:
Seems like Chuy's might incur some liability here. The establishment was negligent in serving alcohol to an intoxicated person.
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