LANCASTER – Prosecutors Tuesday upgraded charges against an alleged drunk driver accused of causing a crash that killed a Lancaster woman and critically injured the woman’s husband.
Jodi Lyn Biers, 28, is now facing a murder charge for the collision on March 13 that killed Angelica Goins-Jones and put Patrick Jones in the hospital fighting for his life.
“I’m happy that they increased her charges,” the couple’s sister Nicole Jones said Tuesday. “Although nothing can bring Angie back or minimize what my brother is going through, I’m relieved that she is not going to just get a slap on the wrist.”
Biers appeared in court Tuesday for a scheduled preliminary hearing before Superior Court Judge Christopher Estes, and was arraigned on the amended felony complaint.
Biers is now charged with one count of murder, one count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, one count of driving under the influence and causing injury, and one count of driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher, according to court records.
Additionally, her bail was raised from $230,000 to $1 million.
Authorities said Biers was driving with a blood alcohol level of .226, nearly three times the legal limit, when her pickup truck collided with the couple’s vehicle around 12:54 a.m. on March 13, instantly killing Angelica and leaving Patrick clinging to life at Antelope Valley Hospital.
This week Patrick was removed from the hospital’s intensive care unit, said his sister.
“He is starting to do a little better and I think that he will recover from this,” Nicole Jones said. “It’s just going to take a very long time.”
Family members said they hope Biers is put away for a very long time as well.
“I want her to get punished,” Nicole Jones said.
“She needs to be prosecuted or else there will be no lesson learned about drinking and driving,” said close family friend Carolyn Guice.
Biers is due back in court on April 11 for a preliminary hearing.
Read previous related articles here:
Alleged DUI driver pleads not guilty, family grieves victims
Woman killed Tuesday by suspected DUI driver in Lancaster
Robert Rendon says
My prayors are with all families involved. I can say that a lot of the anger is natural and will always be a nutural progression to healing. With that said, what good does sending her to jail for life do? The answer, none! I can say I know quite a few people that have been in this situation (on both sides) and there are a lot of people out there that take good from this, learn from this, and help teach others once out of jail or oncce healed form injuries. Without failures and trajedy we learn nothing. Alcoholism is the killer. Jodi did a very bad thing but that does not make her a bad person. I am pretty certain that Jodi will never be ok and just move on not caring that she just took someones life and changed many lives in doing what she did. Regardless of the time she gets I pray for her healing as well as for the healing of all involved.
Robert Rendon says
And just to throw this out there as a humble and mistake making human being … Back in my college days I was this intoxicated, through my job I have picked up people this inoxticated and I can assure you that with a .26 or whatever it was there was not a single clear thought in this ladies head. She would not have known she was doing anything wrong. Obviously by here actions and words after the incident she was not in any sort of mental capacity relating to normal.
I regretfully admit that I have been arrested for DUI and by the grace of the creator above did not hurt anyone in the process. I remember how many of my friends tried to shun me (as everyone is doing Jodi) and I know I’ve witnessed them all do the same. Something about glass houses and stones?
How many of us out there have had an alocholic beverage and driven? Even just 2? How many of us have driven too tired (similar to driving intoxicated if tired enoughh) but kept driving because we had to get to our destination? Obviously there are people out there that have done neither but I can bet if we all did a TRUE self eval of those some on here casting stones should not be.
Again, my thoughts and prayers for ALL families! To lose a loved one is not easy, particularly this way.
jeffrey gilstrap's mom says
School age children know drunk/high driving is dangerous. How could a grown woman not know better and SHE HAD YEARLY EDUCATION THROUGH HER JOB AS A FIREFIGHTER TO KNOW BETTER!!!!! Tragedy has to happen for people to learn from it??? That is absurd! This isn’t the first drunk driver and it won’t be the last. Of course my prayers are with Jodi as well as the Jones family but no matter how bad she feels, she has to face the consequences of her actions.
Christian says
I agree, my prayers go out to your family thru these hard times
And I can assure u Jodi will never forget this terrible
Thing that she has done and why she has done this
Only the lord will know why this happened but it’s very
Important to remember the good times and memories and just maybe
The Lord would want you to minister to Jodi and
Change her life, so she would never even drink again.
NoW please don’t misunderstand me I’m not excusing her for her actions
Yesenia Saavedra says
My deepest sympathy for the family of Angie, I knew her through my work & am so sorry this horrible thing happened to her & Patrick. Glad to hear Patrick is doing better & give a big hug to Taylor! Angie & me used to rideshare together to work. And let me tell you those were the best rides of my life going to work! I miss you Angie querida how she used to say! xoxo<3
Carolyn says
My prayersa go out to all families. Jodi you knew better then to drink and drive. Im sure right now you have many regrets. You really should have thought about that before you got behind the wheel. Its such a tragity when someone takes the life of someone so loved. My heart goes out to the family of Angie and Pat. Pat may you heal strong and stay strong throughout all of this. Dont give up Angie is counting on you still. Your daughter is too.
DS says
In seasons of loss, we too can find comfort and hope because the bible has given us the right information. Please pray for strength and peace for everyone involved especially Taylor. Cling to God…He has promised to work on our behalf, even in the worst possible scenario. Let go and let God handle it…May God Bless you ALL…
jus4all says
Way to go Lancaster!!! Praying for truths to be revealed and justice for all daily.
Jane Goins Wright says
I don’t know what else to say because I won’t ever have my beautiful Angiebaby to hug and kiss. She will never be able to visit me in South Carolina. She even thought of moving here some day she loved it so much. Now Jodi has taken her from us. I hope she never gets out of jail. Jodi has really tore a loving family apart. Angie R.I.P. my darling we love you. But I know that you really won’t rest until Jodi is put away for a very long time. Hopefully for life for the life she took from us. My prayers are for Jodi’s life in jail. I feel for your pain that u r feeling for what u did to my beautiful niece. I don’t know what would cause a young person like u to drink so much and then drive your truck into my niece’s car. I hope u never sleep comfortablely again. I know when u close your eyes I hope u see what you’ve done to us.
Perla says
Angie you be miss to all of us…R. I. P. We all Love you!!!
and your families.
JAL says
I so wish I had something smart or clever to say. Growing up I had several girlfriends and friends around me and Angie was kind of that one annoying constant that helped keep me on track when I was acting stupid. Probably doesn’t make much sense, but if you knew Angie, you know what I mean…
Kesha says
Nothing more to say.. She’s in jail charged with murder! 1 mil bail ! Awaiting for her hearing .. I mean what more can we ask for ? I mean gas chair would b nice … I know that we all r hurting from this but for the most of it all is my lil cousin Taylor I pray that she will overcome this tragedy that this Jodi has forced upon her by just being straight up irresponsible! Taylor is only 19!!having to experience this ! Jodi I have no feelings for you, your tears mean nothing to me because in due time you will heal and you will get comfortable w the fact you killed someone and left Pat in such pain you will never feel so hopefully and this is a HUGE HOPE this may open the eyes to some of you that get STUPID DRUNK AND DRIVE!!! Damn IDIOTS!!!
Michelle Goins says
GOD is good!
rachelle says
I love and miss Angie more than I can express. Today in court, I realized that all 3 families involved are in pain. Please keep the negativity off these blogs. Angie was classy, beautiful, smart and a great Mom, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Niece, Cousin, Friend and Women. Lets remember her that way. Positive, comforting words of inspiration for all parties involved is what the families need and deserve.Sleep well Angelica Goins-Jones.
JAL says
Nicely put, Rachelle.
ERT says
And that’s all I have to say.
ERT says
Incredible.
kirkland carolyn says
My heart goes out to all families involved.Please pray for Taylor and her dad Pat.We all need Gods love now more than ever cause we have lost our Angie.The most beautiful gift we had is now with the Lord now love on each other. Love you my lil Angie baby. Be blessed family from Kevin Kirkland and family