OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - A 19-year-old Overland Park woman is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of a 70-year-old woman she allegedly struck with her vehicle.
Jill Teresa Conaghan remains behind bars on a $100,000 bond after appearing in Johnson County Court Wednesday afternoon.
Conaghan faces a total of seven charges; she was charged with involuntary manslaughter, failure to stop at an accident resulting in death, improper driving on a laned road, driving on sidewalk, and three counts of consumption of liquor by minor including leaving the scene of an accident.
The most serious is that involuntary manslaughter charge.
But even after the accident that happened at 99th Terrace and Farley Lane, prosecutors say the young woman was busted three times for underage drinking.
Conaghan is accused of mowing down 70-year-old Sandra B. Carocari while the woman was gardening in her own yard.
Conaghan allegedly drove over the curb, across the sidewalk and then fled the scene after hitting Carocari.
A neighbor is surprised to hear that the charges include three allegations of underage drinking in the months after the deadly hit and run.
"It's surprising, yeah. I would think, if I were her age and had that situation happen. I would be scared straight a little bit more, I think," said Laura Macintosh, who lives across the street.
"... if they feel there is a pattern or conduct that makes them be able to be joined for trial...so we have that discretion to file that," said Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe, as he explained why the later drinking charges were included with the original accident.
The involuntary manslaughter charge accuses Conaghan of using alcohol and drugs while driving a van on July 18, the day of the accident.
At the time, Conaghan reportedly returned to the scene with her parents and said she'd been on medication.
Howe, the district attorney, says prosecutors can charge for improper use of prescription drugs.
"Any type of drug that can alter one's ability or make them impaired while operating a motor vehicle can be considered as part of the relevant evidence." said Howe.
The neighbor says drivers slowed down on 99th Terrace after the death, and when police cracked down on speeding.
But lately speeding seems to have resumed.
Congahan's defense lawyers left court without comment but asked for, and received an expedited hearing. They'll be back in court Thursday morning. That's when both sides say we'll hear more about what allegedly happened that day.
