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July 7, 2008

Woman indicted in DUI deaths

By Patrick McCreless

A Cullman County grand jury recently indicted a Vinemont woman for manslaughter — nearly a year after she allegedly drove under the influence and killed three people in the process.

Cynthia Lynnett Bright, 46 was arrested Saturday on the June 30 indictment at her residence. The indictment stemmed from an Oct. 19, 2007 one-vehicle crash on County Road 1246 near Alabama State Highway 157.

Information from the Cullman County district attorney’s office alleges Bright was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.

“She (Bright) had three occupants in the car with her,” said Chief Deputy Tony Quick of the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office. “All the victims were in one vehicle and she was the driver.”

According to Alabama State Trooper reports, killed at the scene was Earl Steve Faulkner, 50 of Vinemont and Scherry Diane Clark, 18 of Hartselle. The third victim, Matthew Moore, 30 of Vinemont died a few days later in a Huntsville hospital. Bright received serious injuries.

Trooper reports indicate Bright was driving a 1995 Ford and none of the crash victims were wearing seat belts.

Bright is the second person arrested for a Cullman County manslaughter indictment in less than a week.

Cullman County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Daniel Joseph Pickle, 29 on July 2 for the indictment, which stemmed from an Aug. 3, 2007 vehicle collision that resulted in the death of Malcolm Baty, 66 of Hanceville. Trooper reports allege Pickle was driving under the influence and at a high rate of speed on County Road 35 when he slammed into Baty, who was riding a tractor.

Reports also note items found in Pickle’s vehicle were allegedly stolen from a residence in Gardendale not long before the crash. Authorities were not pursuing Pickle at the time of the incident.

Bright was incarcerated at the Cullman County Detention Center but has been released on a $150,000 bond. Her trial date has not been set.

Manslaughter is a Class B felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

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