By Emma Rausch
emma@thepaperofwabash.com
WABASH, Ind. – A Wabash woman that was involved in a March double-fatal crash pled guilty to several felony charges after entering a plea agreement on Monday, Oct. 17.
Emilee J. Bowyer, 28, Wabash, pled guilty to two counts felony operating a vehicle while intoxicated resulting in death and two counts felony operating a vehicle while intoxicated resulting in serious bodily injury.
Bowyer’s charges stemmed from a March 19 accident.
At approximately 10:05 p.m., Wabash Central Dispatch was advised of a personal injury vehicle crash involving a head-on collision, according to the probable cause affidavit.
According to an Indiana State Police press release:
ISP Trooper Michael Biggs reported that a 2006 Toyota SUV driven by Bowyer was traveling north on SR 15 when, for an unknown reason, it traveled left of center.
Bowyer’s vehicle struck a southbound 2015 Lexus SUV head-on. As a result of the crash, passenger Barbara J. Dryer, 69, was fatally injured and pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Lexus, Phillip E. Stephenson, 70, and another passenger, Sharon K. Stephenson, 67, were transported to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.
Mrs. Stephenson died from her injuries early Sunday morning, March 20.
During the investigation, evidence indicated that Bowyer was allegedly under the influence of a narcotic at the time of the crash.
According to the probable cause affidavit, a paramedic was performing a medical assessment of Bowyer in the presence of Wabash County Sheriff’s Department Deputy E. Steve Hicks when he located items associated with drug usage including two syringes, a metal spoon that had signs of usage, piece of a plastic bag and a piece of rolled up paper.
Bowyer was originally charged with two counts of felony operating a vehicle while intoxicated resulting in death, two counts felony operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury, two counts felony reckless homicide, felony possession of a narcotic drug and felony illegal possession of a syringe.
In June, Bowyer posted bond. However, following her plea hearing on Oct. 17, the State filed a petition to revoke bond after finding probable cause that she violated the bond agreement terms.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by the Wabash County Probation Department, violations include the following:
- On Thursday, Oct. 20, and Friday, Oct. 21, Bowyer was ordered to report to the Wabash County Probation Department and submit to a drug screen, but failed to do so on both occasions.
- On Monday, Oct. 31, Bowyer reported to the Wabash County Probation Department and admitted to Probation Officer Chad Ulmer that she would be positive for the use of heroin, according to the affidavit. Ulmer then informed Bowyer that a drug screen would be administered for missing the previous drug screenings to which she refused to submit to.
She was then arrested Oct. 31 and her bond was revoked at a Wabash County Circuit Court hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 1.
Bowyer is incarcerated at the Wabash County Jail.
The sentencing hearing for the guilty plea was set for Dec. 12 at 10 a.m.