Word is just coming in that an Orange County attorney has been convicted in the DUI death of cyclist Eric Billings two years ago.
According to a press release from the OC District Attorney’s office, Hasti Fakhrai-Bayrooti pled guilty to a single felony count of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated on Tuesday.
The DA reports the 41-year old Rancho Santa Margarita woman had prescription drugs — including Xanax and Suboxone — in her system when she ran down Billings’ bike from behind on March 15, 2013, as he rode in a marked bike lane on Santa Margarita Parkway in Mission Viejo.
Fakhrai-Bayrooti was apparently unable to plead down to a lessor charge; she was convicted on the same count she was originally charged with, which is unusual in cases that don’t go to trial.
According to the press release, she is currently out on $100,000 bond, and faces up to four years in state prison when she is sentenced on May 8th.
She also faces possible removal from the state bar following her conviction; she has been an active member of the bar since 2005.
Thanks to Edward Rubinstein, and Amy Senk of Corona del Mar Today for the head-up. (And apologies for misspelling Rubinstein’s name at first.)
