Motorist pleads not guilty in death of 8-year-old bicyclist

Thursday, July 29, 2004 | 9:26 a.m.

A woman accused of being under the influence of drugs when she drove her car into an 8-year-old bicyclist pleaded not guilty on Wednesday and was scheduled to stand trial on Jan. 18 before District Judge Joseph Bonaventure.

A Clark County grand jury indicted Kimberly Bunch, 30, on charges of 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.

At Wednesday's hearing, Bonaventure approved the request by Bunch's attorney's, Stephen Stein, to allow Bunch to attend the middle school graduation of her daughter on Aug. 4.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Clark Peterson objected.

"I'm sure Ms. Steffee would have liked to see her daughter graduate as well," Peterson said. "I object to her being out of custody to begin with."

Bonaventure cut Peterson's objection short, saying, "Let's not get all emotional as there isn't even a jury present yet."

Bunch is on house arrest after posting $35,000 bail. Under the conditions of her house arrest Bunch can visit Stein, go to the store and go to the pharmacy, but only if someone else drives.

Stein said Bunch's mother would drive her to the graduation ceremony.

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.

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.