05/30/2005

Associated Press

A dental laboratory worker who was described in court as intoxicated at the time of a fatal three-car pileup Nov. 17 has been convicted of vehicular homicide.

Bobbi Jo Kubo, 35, of Everett, who testified that she felt "completely fine" while driving on a wet, two-lane road between Lynnwood and Everett, was nonetheless found guilty Friday by a Snohomish County Superior Court.

She faces 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 years when she is sentenced on June 28.

The case stems from a high-speed crash in which Jane Nishikawa, 71, died on Nov. 17.

Testimony showed Kubo tried to pass a Jeep Liberty in her Ford Ranger in a no-passing zone with limited visibility when she sideswiped the oncoming Dodge Intrepid in which Nishikawa was riding. The Intrepid fishtailed and was T-boned by a Chevrolet Camaro which had been closely following Kubo.

Kubo told the jury she wanted to get ahead of the Jeep to make it slow down and conceded that was a "big mistake."

Witnesses testified that everyone in the Camaro, Ranger and Jeep had been drinking at a bar moments before the crash. Two hours after the crash Kubo's blood-alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit, and there was also evidence that she had recently smoked marijuana, deputy prosecutor Joan Cavagnaro said.

The driver of the Camaro previously pleaded guilty to drunken driving. A bench warrant has been issued for the driver of the Jeep, who is charged with vehicular homicide but did not appear for a court hearing.

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Information from: The Herald, http://www.heraldnet.com