A 40-year-old woman, Stephanie Dill, is facing serious charges following a tragic incident in Anchorage where she struck and killed a bicyclist last week.
Dill was arrested and is currently detained at Hiland Mountain Correctional Center on multiple charges, including manslaughter, driving under the influence (DUI), and bribery.
The victims has been identified as 48-year-old Radahámez Rodriguez Pérez, who was originally from Baja California, Mexico, and had moved to Alaska several years ago.
The fatal incident occurred just before 9:15 p.m. on Thursday, when police and firefighters responded to a collision on C Street near 64th Avenue.
Investigators revealed that Dill was driving a Mazda SUV at high speed and the wrong way on C Street when she collided with Pérez, who was riding his bicycle.
According to the charging documents, Dill attempted to bribe a police officer by offering him money if he would drop her off and ‘act like nothing happened.’
Prior to the collision, traffic cameras captured Dill’s vehicle making reckless maneuvers, including driving over a median while leaving a Mexican restaurant on Dimond Boulevard.
The SUV then made an illegal left turn onto C Street against a red light and continued driving north in the southbound lanes.
Ultimately, the SUV swerved off the road, hitting Pérez, who was riding on the shoulder, before crossing back onto the road and veering into roadside brush and grass.
Witnesses and investigation reports indicated that Dill was exceeding the posted speed limit of 50 mph.
A friend of Pérez’s recounted a heart-wrenching moment when he was speaking to his mother on the phone using headphones just before the collision occurred.
When police arrived, they found Dill in the driver’s seat, exhibiting strong signs of intoxication, including the smell of alcohol.
Following her arrest, Dill initially refused a breath sample, which prompted officers to obtain a search warrant for a blood draw.
The results later indicated that her blood alcohol level was over twice the legal limit for driving in Alaska when she was processed at Hiland Mountain more than five hours after the incident.
During transport, Dill offered the arresting officer $1,000 in cash to let her go, insisting that she had the money and wanted him to overlook the situation.
The officer requested her to repeat the bribe offer, to which she complied, underscoring her willingness to pay to avoid the consequences of her actions.
A judge set her bail at $10,000, with specific conditions that prohibit her from driving or consuming alcohol.
Dill’s next court hearing is scheduled for Thursday, and she has been assigned a public defender, although they were unavailable for comment at the time of this report.
In a reflection of Pérez’s impact on the community, his friends described him as a ‘proud son of Mexico’ and noted his military background as a retired marine.
He had recently become a U.S. citizen and was said to have a deep admiration for Alaska’s natural beauty, having moved there three years prior.
A memorial established along C Street near the site of the collision emphasized Pérez’s qualities as a devoted husband and father, and a kind individual known for his willingness to help others.
Pérez was also affiliated with the Respetable Logía Simbolica Exodus in Ensenada, which is recognized by the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Alaska.
He had attended the Anchorage lodge at least once, demonstrating his connection to the local community.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing as the Anchorage Police Department continues to gather information.
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