Shakiyla Bryant, 56, entered a guilty plea for the September 23 tragic incident in Smith River. Bryant was operating her vehicle, heading east on Mouth of the Smith River Road when, according to the CHP, Bryant drove through a STOP sign onto the 101, attempting to drive north on 101.
Winston Luttrell, 52, was riding his Harley motorcycle southbound on 101 and slammed into Bryant’s vehicle.
Luttrell had recently moved to Smith River, was unable to avoid the collision and was killed when his motorcycle collided into the Bryant vehicle.
The CHP conducted a sobriety test on Bryant and reported she blew a .18 alcohol reading. The legal limit to operate a motor vehicle in California is .08.
Bryant was not on any bail bond, agreed to a 10 year prison sentence for Gross Vehicular Manslaughter. Court records reveal Bryant had two previous DUIs on her record prior to this incident.
Video footage from the Lucky 7 Casino corroborated Bryant imbibing at least two glasses of wine, then exiting to the parking lot of the casino, entering her vehicle, driving to her residence on Mouth of the Smith. She then returned to vehicle, and failed to stop, entering traffic and causing the trajedy.
Formal sentencing for Bryant will occur February 24, in Judge Darren McElfresh, Dept 1 Court, presiding.
The People were represented by Assistant District Attorney Todd Zocchi. Attorney David Cooper represented Bryant.
The convicted Bryant remains out in the community under Probation supervision, on her own recognizance, may not operate a motor vehicle. The felony conviction preclude her from owning any weapons or ammunition.