County Woman Charged In Death Of Motorcyclist

Charges were filed March 2 against a St. Clair woman that allegedly killed a cyclist in a head-on crash July 7, 2020.

Ashley Downey, 28, has been charged with driving while intoxicated resulting in death, possession of a controlled substance and operating a motor vehicle owned by another knowing the owner has not maintained financial responsibility.

A criminal summons was issued March 3 and Downey is scheduled to be arraigned on March 25.

According to the highway patrol, Downey struck Charles D. Gudermuth, 36, while he was riding his 2006 Honda CBR motorcycle.

Gudermuth was ejected from the bike. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The highway patrol said Gudermuth was traveling too fast for the hilly conditions and Downey was inattentive, looking at her phone as she crossed the center lane.

Downey was arrested at the scene on the suspicion of driving while intoxicated and possession of heroin.

Downey was charged just days earlier for misdemeanor theft in the city of Sullivan.

She has a court hearing on the charge April 21 at the Franklin County Courthouse.