Two separate families sat on opposite sides of a Colusa County courtroom on Jan. 18.
Sitting behind District Attorney Brendan Farrell was the family of 20-year-old Sierra Lynne Jensen Spicer, of Vacaville, who died as the result of injuries she sustained Oct. 2 in a vehicle rollover on Interstate 5, just south of Maxwell.
Directly across the aisle of the courtroom was the family of a 24-year-old Martinez woman, who stood soberly with attorneys Tedd Mehr and Paul Burgin as she faced the judge on a single felony charge of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
The California Highway Patrol arrested Kathryn Mariah Olig Shubat, who they said was driving a 2011 Subaru under the influence of drugs or alcohol – and at a high rate of speed – when she struck the rear of a Ford pick-up towing a small utility trailer, causing the driver Anthony Danielson, 22, of Vacaville, to lose control of the truck and drive on the shoulder of the freeway before overturning.
Jensen, who was a passenger, was ejected from the vehicle. She died from her injuries in the hospital nearly two weeks later on Oct. 15, surrounded by family and friends. Danielson and another passenger, Jason Danielson, 19, both received minor injuries, as did Shubat.
Shubat appeared in court last week for the setting of a preliminary hearing but waived her right to have evidence put forth at this stage in the case. Instead, Shubat, her attorneys, and the District Attorney requested Judge Jeffrey A. Thompson refer the case to trial court, which will allow time for Shubat’s attorneys to work out a possible plea arrangement.
Jensen’s family, in an obituary posted online, asked that their loved one’s death serve as a reminder of the permanent consequences of driving recklessly and under the influence, but asked that the details of the crash not overshadow the inspirational and impactful life Jensen lived.
The 20-year-old was a college student and entrepreneur. She loved fishing, duck hunting, and pro rodeos. She had been crowned Little Miss 2018 California Ideal Miss Queen and enjoyed many hobbies, including lifting weights, reading, baking, horseback riding, gymnastics, sewing, painting, drawing, and Cricut crafting.
Shubat, who has pleaded not guilty, could face four or more years in prison if convicted of the felony charge. She is scheduled to appear in count on April 3 for trial setting or possibly a change in plea. â–