Woman indicted in death of 8-year-old bicyclist

Thursday, July 15, 2004 | 9:36 a.m.

A woman accused of being under the influence of drugs when she drove her car into an 8-year-old bicyclist was indicted by a Clark County grand jury on multiple charges Wednesday.

Kimberly Bunch, 29, is charged with driving while under the influence of a controlled substance and/or prohibited substance causing death or substantial bodily harm, reckless driving and involuntary manslaughter for the May 5 crash that left Justyne Steffee in a coma from which she never recovered. Steffee was pronounced dead on May 19 at University Medical Center.

Bunch will for arraignment July 28 before District Judge Joseph Bonaventure.

Bunch's attorney, Stephen Stein, would not comment on the indictment. "I try my cases in the courtroom to a jury and not in the media," he said.

The Clark County coroner's office determined that Steffee died from the injuries she suffered in the crash.

Blood test results taken by North Las Vegas police indicated Bunch was under the influence of methamphetamines and marijuana while driving her Chevrolet Lumina northbound on Revere Street, according to police reports.

Bunch was driving between 57 and 62 mph when she hit Steffee, who was traveling with the flow of westbound traffic while crossing the street on her bicycle at Craig Creek, police said. The speed limit there is 35 mph.

Witnesses told police that Steffee did not stop at the stop sign at Craig Creek, but police said evidence at the scene indicates that the automobile could have veered and missed the slow-moving child.

Bunch's car skidded 117 feet before hitting Steffee, and the car continued to skid for 87 feet after hitting the child, police said.