Warrent issued for woman hospitalized following March 8 accident in Byron
A warrant was issued in Genesee County Court today for a woman involved in a one-car rollover accident March 8 and expected to be released from Strong Memorial Hospital today.
Michelle Crawford, who in 2009 was the first person in Western New York charged with felony DWI under "Leandra's Law," was placed on the court docket for an alleged violation of probation.
"I would request a warrant," said Assistant District Attorney Will Zickl, "especially considering the circumstances that required her appearance, which included drinking and driving and getting into a serious motor-vehicle accident."
No charges have been filed related to the March 8 accident. The Sheriff's Office is awaiting results of blood tests before determining what, if any, charges are filed.
According to attorney William Harper, of the Public Defender's Office, Crawford was taken out of the intensive care unit yesterday.
Crawford will require ongoing medical care upon her release from the hospital, but Zickl said outside of court that if she is arrested and jailed, the jail can provide for her care.
Reportedly, Crawford's jaw has been wired shut.
The 26-year-old Batavia resident has three children and was arrested for alleged DWI in November 2009. Her children were reportedly in her car at the time of her arrest, making it a felony DWI under a fairly new law that made driving while drunk with children in the car a more serious crime.
However, in a bench trial in Erie County, Crawford was acquitted of the felony charge and convicted of driving while ability impaired and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child.