Driver accused of killing Fresno high school student had meth in system, expert testifies
Lisa Ellen Spoors — who is facing charges of murder, DUI and fatal hit and run — had a cocktail of mostly prescription drugs in her system the day she struck and killed a 15-year-old Hoover High student in Fresno, a toxicologist testified Thursday.
The 39-year-old Spoors is accused of killing Rashad Al-Hakim Jr. as he was crossing the street in front of Hoover High School at First and Barstow avenues Oct. 4.
During a preliminary hearing Thursday, Dr. Patil Armenian, a toxicologist and emergency room physician at Community Regional Medical Center, testified that she reviewed toxicology reports and body cam footage of Spoors being interviewed by police that are specially trained to recognize drug use.
Armenian said a blood draw from Spoors revealed the presence of several prescription drugs and methamphetamine. The drugs in Spoors system are typically used for the treatment of ADHD, anxiety, mental illness and seasonal allergies.
Prosecutor Steven Ueltzen asked Armenian if the drugs could have impaired Spoors’ ability to drive. Armenian said, yes, especially methamphetamine.
“It really causes a lot of inattention and confusion,“ Armenian said. “I have seen it many times in car crash patients. People are not aware of their surroundings and whose reactions are not fast enough.”
Armenian also testified that Spoors appeared confused in the body cam footage when an officer asked Spoors to open their phone and Spoors struggled to do it.
Spoors defense attorney Marc Kapetan challenged Armenian’s analysis, saying Spoors does not appear under the influence in the body cam video.
Kapetan asked Armenian how was it possible for Spoors to communicate coherently with police, who asked Spoors to return to the scene of the crash. Spoors initially left the scene but returned about 20 minutes later.
Spoors also answered the officer’s questions during the investigation without an issue. Kapetan also pointed out that one of the investigating officers determined, based on a drug recognition evaluation, that Spoors was not under the influence and could safely drive a vehicle.
As for the trouble opening the phone, Kaptan dismissed it as irrelevant.
He said Spoors used the phone three times prior to that moment and didn’t have problem.
“There is a 10-second period of time when she can’t open her phone,” Kapetan said. “If there is any confusion maybe it was because she was in a horrific accident.”
The preliminary hearing continues Friday in Dept. 50.
