Powell Arraigned In Superior Court

Sonora, CA — 30 year old Amber Rae Powell was arraigned in Superior Court Tuesday charged with felony DUI, felony child abuse and being an habitual traffic offender.

Powell was the driver of a vehicle that ran a red light at the intersection of Hwy 108 and S. Washington Street Saturday afternoon at 1:52 colliding with a vehicle driven by 59 year old John R. Steely of Soulsbyville.

According to the CHP report Powell was reportedly driving at a speed estimated at between 75-80 mph eastbound on Hwy 108 when the collision occured. At the time she had ingested a mixture of vodka, vicadin and cough syrup with codeine.

In addition she had three children in the 1989 Toyota Tercel: seven year old Chiyala Powell, six year old Dezsia Hancock and two year old Phoenix Barajas. Hancock was lifeflighted to the U.C.-Davis Medical Center with major injuries but was subsequently released Monday with facial and head lacerations.

Powell is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Department Three of Superior Court June 27 at 8:15am. She remains in the Tuolumne County Jail.

Written by Bill Johnson