Pocatello woman accused of hitting pedestrian will face additional charges
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Magdala Louissaint, KPVI
POCATELLO – A Pocatello woman who allegedly hit a pedestrian with her car back in September will now be facing additional charges.
The woman was allegedly under the influence of drugs or alcohol when police say she hit an Idaho State University student. After months of being in critical condition, that student has died from his injuries, and now there will be additional charges against her.
On the early morning of September 26, Brandi Christensen was arrested for allegedly hitting a pedestrian, Justin Kynaston, on Garrett Way and Gould in Pocatello.
Stephen Herzog, the Bannock County prosecutor, says, “One of your (prosecutor’s) primary goals is to seek justice for family members, and there are other reasons too, to deter that person from doing something like that again.”
The 30-year-old is currently facing charges for an aggravated DUI and possession of a controlled substance. But now the Bannock County Prosecutors office says there will be additional charges.
Herzog adds, “An aggravated DUI … is simply DUI causing someone injury. Then if over time that person succumbs to their injury … it’s possible that vehicular homicide will be appropriate.”
After months of being in critical condition, the 21-year-old died at the Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise on Saturday, Dec. 10.
The Ada County Coroner’s Office confirmed with KPVI that the ISU student died from complications of blunt force trauma due to a pedestrian versus motor vehicle accident.
“What we’re going to do is review medical records, additional evidence and make a decision on what additional charges may be appropriate, given the fact that he passed away,” Herzog said.
Christensen is currently out on bond and still has a jury trial scheduled for next month under the current charges. As for the prosecutor’s office, they say it will take a couple weeks to review and investigate before a decision is made on the appropriate charge.
This article first appeared on KPVI. It is used here with permission.