DMV revokes license of woman in fatal crash

Stephen Curran

Friday, March 18, 2005 | 11:15 a.m.

The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles on Thursday revoked the license of the woman who allegedly drove her SUV into a bus stop, killing four people earlier this week, Metro Police said.

Veronica Schmidt, 34, has not been charged with a crime stemming from the collision, as toxicology tests to determine whether she was under the influence of drugs or alcohol have not been returned to police, Officer Jose Montoya, a department spokesman, said this morning.

Prior to the license revocation there had been "nothing preventing her from continuing to drive," Montoya said.

The department is also investigating whether Schmidt, whose husband told police she suffered from an unknown medical condition, may have been unfit to drive, he said.

According to Metro, Schmidt was arrested in August 2004 and November 2003 on charges of battering her husband.

Schmidt is believed to have lost control of her 1994 Ford Explorer on Smoke Ranch Road and Rock Springs Drive about 7:15 a.m. Monday, causing the SUV to plow into a bus stop where it killed three Cimarron-Memorial High School students and a 36-year-old woman.

According to a state law, police can revoke licenses of drivers who "(have) been involved as a driver in any accident resulting in the death or personal injury of another serious property damage." Under the law, Schmidt has the right to a formal hearing.

Police routinely suspend or revoke licenses in cases where drivers involved in such accidents are found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, Kevin Malone, a DMV spokesman, said.

Schmidt's role in the crash remained under investigation this morning as toxicology test results are expected later today.