Oregon driver charged with manslaughter after she took her dog’s Xanax then drove into cyclist

An Oregon woman is facing manslaughter charges after she hit and killed a cyclist while under the influence of a number of drugs – including Xanax that was prescribed to her dog.

The Bend Bulletin reports that Shantel Lynn Witt had 11 different drugs in her system when she hit and killed 38-year-old dentist Marika Stone, who was out cycling with friends in December 2017.

A keen cyclist, Stone had placed first in her age class in the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, California, the year before. 

Stone was riding along Dodds Road, east of Bend, behind two other cyclists when Witt, travelling in the opposite direction, crossed the centre line and hit her, killing her instantly.

The first officer on scene suspected Witt of driving under the influence, based on her constricted pupils and “apparent intoxication.”

A blood test revealed the anti-anxiety drug Xanax, the muscle relaxer Soma and another anti-anxiety drug, meprobamate.

Her urine contained hydrocodone, Klonopin, prescription antidepressant Paxil, the prescription muscle relaxer Flexeril, the prescription antidepressant Desyrel and others.

A bottle found in her pickup contained Xanax prescribed for her dog, Lola. The prescription was dated two days before the collision and 11 of 20 pills were missing.

The case continues.

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