Petaluma pedestrian remains in hospital following crosswalk collision

One of two pedestrians struck in a downtown Petaluma crosswalk over the weekend by a suspected DUI driver remained hospitalized Monday, but her condition had improved, police officials said.

Elizabeth Miller, 23, of Petaluma sustained head trauma and other injuries during the Saturday night crash on Petaluma Boulevard near Boulevard Cinemas where she and her boyfriend had just seen a movie, Petaluma Police Lt. Tim Lyons said. Miller was released from intensive care Monday at Santa Rosa Memorial, but remained in treatment at the hospital, Lyons said.

Her boyfriend, Alexander Conrad, 21, of Petaluma, was treated for minor injuries at Petaluma Valley Hospital and released the night of the crash, Lyons said.

Police said the pair were struck at a lighted mid-block crosswalk on Petaluma Boulevard between Western Avenue and B Street at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday by a 2004 gold Chevrolet Cavalier driven by Karen Burns, 61, of Petaluma. They were crossing east to west.

Burns admitted to officers that she had taken drugs prescribed to her, including an anti-anxiety drug, an anti-depressant and an opiate used to manage pain, Lyons said.

Conrad told police that he and Miller had pressed the crosswalk button and activated the crossing lights when they were struck by the Cavalier.

Burns initially told an officer she didn’t see the pedestrians or crosswalk signals during an interview while she was still seated behind the wheel of her car, Lyons said.

A short time later, during a more detailed interview outside the car, she told an officer that she saw the female pedestrian “just as she got to the crosswalk” at “the last minute” and tried to brake but didn’t have time to stop, Lyons said.

Police reported that Burns told officers she had been driving at about 30 mph - above the 25 mph speed limit. While it was dark at the time of the accident, it was dry and clear, Lyons said.

At the scene, Burns appeared confused and showed signs of impairment during questioning with officers and performed poorly on several field sobriety tests, police said. Burns told the officers about the prescription medications after they asked if she was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, Lyons said. A blood toxicology test was performed, but the results won’t be back for a couple of weeks, Lyons said.

Burns was taken to Sonoma County Jail and released early Sunday after posting $100,000 bond. She is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.