Judge says driver accused of killing JPSO deputy surrendered passport
Court says Erica Smith Katsanis is cooperating with pre-trial services as vehicular homicide case moves forward.
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - A judge gave a brief update Thursday in the case of the woman accused of killing a Jefferson Parish sheriff’s deputy during a funeral procession crash.
Erica Smith Katsanis, who is charged with vehicular homicide in the death of Deputy Christopher Ohlmeyer, did not appear in court for the status hearing. Her attorney was also not present.
However, the magistrate judge said Katsanis is cooperating with pre-trial services and confirmed that her attorney surrendered her passport to the court earlier Thursday morning.
Her next court date is scheduled for April 9.
Crash on Airline Drive during funeral procession
Authorities say Katsanis crashed her vehicle into Ohlmeyer while he was riding his motorcycle as part of a funeral procession on Airline Drive in New Orleans. Ohlmeyer was a deputy with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Court records obtained by Fox 8 show that after the crash, police interviewed Katsanis at a hospital. Authorities say she told police she exited the interstate onto Airline Drive, saw the funeral procession, changed lanes and said she “hit something” and was unsure what she had hit.
Officers said Katsanis had slurred speech after the crash and said she did not see anything in front of her before the collision.
Investigators also say Katsanis had 11 different drugs in her system at the time of the crash, including amphetamines, antidepressants and benzodiazepines.
Bond set at $200,000; driving prohibited
Last month, Magistrate Judge Jay Daniels set Katsanis’ bond at $200,000 and prohibited her from operating a motor vehicle while facing the charges.
Legal analyst outlines what state must prove
Fox 8 legal analyst Joe Responte said prosecutors must prove Katsanis’ impairment caused the crash to secure a vehicular homicide conviction.
“I think the issue is going to be, was she told either on the label or by her physician, you cannot drive while taking this drug?” Responte said. “She could still be found guilty of negligent homicide if she’s found to have been grossly negligent, criminally negligent in her actions.”
The case is expected to return to court next month.
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