Substance Abuse Counselor Charged With DUI Manslaughter

Los Angles, CA — An addiction counselor who allegedly struck and killed a pedestrian while behind the wheel has been charged with felony DUI and manslaughter.

The tragic incident allegedly involving the drug and alcohol counselor occurred in Torrance, California, on Saturday night at about 11:30 pm.

ABC News has more on the case of the sobriety counselor’s alleged DUI:

“Sherri Wilkins, 51, is accused of hitting Phillip Moreno, 35, with her Mitsubishi Eclipse, causing him to roll onto the car’s hood and then through the windshield. Moreno became embedded through the windshield as she continued driving for 2.3 miles, according to Torrance police.”

Wilkins, herself reportedly a recovering addict, worked as a chemical dependency counselor at a local treatment center.

According to the LA Times, she had a “blood-alcohol level more than double the 0.08 legal limit.” The Times added that “Wilkins told officers she ‘panicked’ after the crash Saturday night and simply kept driving.” Moreno was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

In a brief court hearing, Wilkins’ formal arraignment was postponed today until next month at which time additional charges are likely. She is currently being held on $2.25 million bail.

CBS News reports that Wilkins was considered a good employee by the treatment facility:

“Despite her spotty background, including a previous hit-and-run arrest, her employer, David Lisonbee, CEO of Twin Tower Treatment, said Wilkins always earned high marks with her patients and didn’t show any signs of a relapse at work.”

Watch news reports on DUI suspect Sherri Wilkins:

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