This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2005, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Elizabeth M. Deseelhorst, 66, of Salt Lake County, allegedly struck and killed 25-year-old bicyclist Josie Johnson while driving her SUV up Big Cottonwood Canyon on Sept. 18, 2004.
Deseelhorst is charged with negligent homicide, a class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to one year in jail.
A three-day trial is set to begin Nov. 16 before 3rd District Judge Royal Hansen, in West Jordan.
Drugs and alcohol were not a factor in the crash, according to court documents.
Gouge marks in the asphalt indicate Johnson was well off the road - 18 inches to the right of the eastbound fog line - when she was struck from behind by Deseelhorst's eastbound Jeep Cherokee.
There were no skid marks; the impact occurred in the center of the Jeep; and the vehicle's right wheels were touching the gravel shoulder, according to charging documents.
- Stephen Hunt
