Woman accused of killing man in Erie crash asks judge for lower bond

Sept. 21--A woman accused of causing a July 20 fatal car crash because she was under the influence of methamphetamine asked a Weld District Court judge to lower her bond this morning, a request the judge denied.

Twenty-five-year-old Nichole Hill's bond remains at $50,000, even after she asked Weld District Court Judge Shannon Lyons to lower it to $30,000. His decision was founded in Hill's criminal history, which Tony Perea, the case's prosecutor, recited during the bond hearing. It included multiple drug and traffic offenses stretching back to 2010.

That history is important because police say she was high on methamphetamine when Hill caused the crash that killed Bobby Geick, 66, near Erie. Pamela James, 37, who was a passenger in Hill's car, also broke her sternum in the crash. Hill faces one count of vehicular homicide and two counts of vehicular assault.

"Normally a traffic offense doesn't justify a high bond, and drug possession doesn't justify a high bond," Lyons said. "But in this case we have the two intersecting."

Still, Samantha Deveraux, Hill's attorney, said her client wanted to change her life for the better.

"She desperately wants treatment and she desperately wants to be a productive member of society," Devereaux said.

If Hill was released on bond, Devereaux said, she would live with her wife and their seven-month old baby.

Devereaux said Hill was working in landscaping to support them both at the time of her arrest. Living with her wife in Greeley would, Devereaux said, provide a safe environment for her and the community.

"She will not be driving, her wife will be driving," Devereaux said.

It wasn't enough for Perea, though, who said that as recently as Aug. 22 police stopped Hill in Loveland for driving without insurance.

"Based on that history I can't justify reducing bond in this case," Lyons said.

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