A Utah woman accused of killing two cyclists claims her irritable bowel syndrome caused the fatal hit-and-run accident, Fox 13 reports.
The incident took place on Saturday in Washington City, Utah, when Julie Ann Budge, 47, allegedly swerved into a bike lane and killed two brothers from California, Adam and Matthew Bullard, who were visiting Washington City to compete in a cycling race.
“A witness at the scene of the accident stated that it appeared that Julie did not have the intention of stopping after hitting the two cyclists,” the affidavit states. “The witness stated he followed Julie’s vehicle until she pulled over and stopped several hundred yards away from the accident.”
According to the probable cause statement, Budge blamed the crash on her “various medical issues,” including irritable bowel syndrome, which made her “defecate on herself without warning.” Because she “began to uncontrollably defecate on herself” while driving, “she swerved,” according to the arresting officer.
She also told police that she also had been taking fentanyl through an IV drip after being admitted to the hospital the previous day.
After failing sobriety tests, Budge, who was previously convicted of a DUI in 2015, was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence.
She has since been charged with several felonies, including two counts of automobile homicide due to criminal negligence, both of which are second-degree felonies; two counts of failure to remain at an accident involving death, both third-degree felonies; and two counts of DUI with serious bodily injury by negligent operation, both third-degree felonies.
Budge also faces a class B misdemeanor charge of reckless driving and an infraction for improper lane travel. She was booked into the Purgatory Correctional Facility on the aforementioned charges.
