Chico, CA (April 27, 2024) – A Chico woman has been charged with felony DUI following a collision that injured former Chico Mayor Randall Stone, who was riding his unicycle at the time.
Incident Overview: The crash occurred around 5:30 p.m. on April 27th at the intersection where Warner Street transitions into Ivy Street. Lexy Anne Cosper, 29, allegedly drove through a stop sign without slowing down and struck Stone as he was crossing the street on an electric unicycle. Surveillance footage captured the moment of the collision, which also narrowly missed Stone’s six-year-old son on a bicycle. Stone was thrown through the air and sustained serious facial injuries.
Legal Proceedings: Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey announced that Cosper was arraigned today in Butte County Superior Court. She faces charges of driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, with additional sentence enhancements for driving with a high blood alcohol content and causing great bodily injury. Preliminary tests indicated Cosper’s blood alcohol level was nearly five times over the legal limit.
Cosper is currently held in Butte County Jail with bail set at $125,000. She has been appointed a public defender and is scheduled for further arraignment on May 8. If convicted, she could face up to six years in state prison. Based on this information, Mr. Stone could consider pursuing a personal injury claim against the driver.
I wish Mr. Stone a thorough and speedy recovery following this incident. Hopefully the driver responsible will be held accountable for their actions.
Source: Action News Now