The family of a Fresno woman, who has been in an induced coma
since being involved in a head-on accident on Highway 156 and Lucy
Brown Avenue several weeks ago, is looking into long-term care
arrangements somewhere in Fresno, according to the California
Highway Patrol.
Hollister – The family of a Fresno woman, who has been in an induced coma since being involved in a head-on accident on Highway 156 and Lucy Brown Avenue several weeks ago, is looking into long-term care arrangements somewhere in Fresno, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Doctors at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital reduced Mary Ann Vuicich’s medication and she briefly came out of the coma Tuesday, but had to be put back under when her brain began to swell, said Officer Terry Mayes of the California Highway Patrol.
Vuicich, 42, was hit by 46-year-old Hollister resident Diana Lynn Jones, who police say admitted to using heroin before and while driving.
Vuicich has massive head and skull trauma and facial fractures, and her left side is paralyzed, Mayes said.
“It’s still very serious,” she said. “Her brain swells every time she’s not in an induced coma.”
Jones, who suffered a broken leg, was booked into the San Benito County Jail last week with felony driving under the influence, felony possession of methamphetamine, misdemeanor being under the influence of a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
By law, the person at-fault for the accident can be charged with manslaughter if the victim dies within one year of the accident, Mayes said.
For the accident to be considered a fatal accident by the CHP, the victim must die within 30 days, Mayes said.
Erin Musgrave is a staff writer. She can be reached at 637-5566, ext. 336, or by e-mail at
em*******@***********ws.com
