Redding Woman’s Charges Include 2nd Degree Murder, Gross Vehicular Manslaughter

On February 27, 2012, at 10:52 A.M. officers from the Redding Police Department were dispatched to a head on collision on Lake Boulevard at the intersection with Santa Rosa Way. The investigation revealed that a 2003 black Nissan Frontier pick-up truck and a 2006 silver Ford Focus were involved in a head on collision.

The Nissan was driven by Jessica Jade Myers, 32 years, of Redding. The rear passenger of the Ford, Sharon Nolan, 58 years, died at the scene as a result of injuries sustained during the collision.

Officer Boun Kongkeoviman, a traffic specialist with the Redding Police Department Traffic Division and certified Drug Recognition Expert, conducted an extensive investigation into the collision. As a result of the investigation and toxicology results, on December 20, 2012, a warrant was issued for Myers charging her with 2nd degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and driving under the influence of drugs and causing injury. (In California, a DUI resulting in the death of another person can be charged as a 2nd degree or “Watson Murder.” The “Watson Murder” rule originated from a case in 1981 in Redding, CA. It is generally charged when the offender has a prior DUI conviction.)

On December 21, 2012, at 11:29 P.M., officers from the Redding Police Department and deputies from the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office located Myers at a residence on Cheshire Way in Palo Cedro. She was taken into custody for the warrant on this case and for two unrelated misdemeanor warrants. Myers was booked into the Shasta County Jail and is currently being held with a bail of $1,002,500.00.

From Redding Police Department press release.

Redding Police Department