Penngrove teacher had high blood alcohol level at time of death
Toxicology results are in from Aug. 4 crash on Lakeville Highway
Published: Friday, September 4, 2009 at 1:21 p.m.
Last Modified: Friday, September 4, 2009 at 1:21 p.m.
A one-time Penngrove school teacher who died in a single-car crash on Lakeville Highway in Petaluma last month had a blood-alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit to drive, the Sonoma County Coroner's Office said.
Enlarge
Lindsey Brandon.
The CHP suspected drunken driving in the Aug. 4 death of Lindsey G. Brandon, 26, in part because of a bottle of liquor found in her car, authorities said.
Toxicology results revealed her blood-alcohol level was 0.23 percent, coroner's Sgt. Clint Shubel said Friday.
Drivers with blood-alcohol of 0.08 percent or greater are considered legally drunk under California law.
Brandon, a 2001 graduate of Casa Grande High School, had been a substitute teacher in Petaluma City Schools for several years at the time of her death.
Last year, she taught fourth-grade at Penngrove Elementary School as a relief teacher, a district official said.
Like the district's other relief teachers, she was released from her position at the end of last school year because of budget cuts but remained on the list of substitutes for the coming year, Deputy Superintendent Steve Bolman said.
Brandon had just turned onto westbound Lakeville Highway from Highway 37 when she spun out of control and rammed a eucalyptus tree in her 2008 Honda Civic on the evening of Aug. 4, the CHP said.
All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.
Comments are currently unavailable on this article
post your stuff
Petaluma360.com is here for you to post your comments, photos, news and events with the community. Post it now!
Your Voice
Have something to say? Join the conversation!
Share Your Photos
Upload your photos of community events, holidays, pets, cute kids, breaking news and more, and vote for your favorites!
Your Events
Submit your area events to encourage others in your community to attend.