UPATED: FHP announces manslaughter charges for suspect accused of killing JSO employee, injuring officer
The driver facing DUI charges in the deadly crash, killing JSO bailiff Cathy Adams and hospitalizing JSO police Officer William Adams, is out of jail Monday.
FHP says Kim Johnston hit the Adams' family car, causing them to lose control and overturn.
ORIGINAL: Bond set for woman facing DUI charges in St. Johns crash that killed JSO bailiff
Their 14-year-old son and 16-year-old daughter made it out of the crash with only minor injuries.
Johnston was arrested and booked into the St. Johns County Jail on Sunday morning, just after 8 a.m.
Right now she’s facing two charges for DUI with serious bodily injury.
This offense is a third-degree felony in Florida, with penalties of up to five years in prison — according to our Action News Jax law and safety expert, Dale Carson.
RELATED: JSO bailiff hit by DUI driver has died, per Jacksonville Sheriff's Office
MORE: JSO employee, children hurt, wife killed by suspected drunk driver early Sunday
Johnston was being held on a $100,000 bond.
Action News Jax was the only news station at the jail when she was released.
#RIGHTNOW Johnston has officially bonded out of jail. We were the only station here to speak to her immediately after her release. The message she has for The Adams’ family...#NEXT on CBS 47 @ActionNewsJax at 5:00: pic.twitter.com/vrecgRHCxP
— Courtney Cole (@CourtneyANJax) December 10, 2018
Action News Jax reporter Courtney Cole asked Johnston if she had any comment, any reason for her driving behavior on Sunday, and if she had a message for the Adams' family.
Two women, who appeared to be her family members, picked her up around 4:30 p.m.
Cole did some digging into her history on the St Johns County and Duval County Clerk of Courts websites.
MORE: Newly released report from Florida Highway Patrol about Johnston on the scene of the crash
She found out this isn’t the first time Johnston’s driving behavior has landed her in legal trouble.
In St. Johns County, Johnston had six infractions between 2004 and 2014 for :
- Unlawful speeding
- Failure to yield when making a left turn
- Speeding in a posted county zone
In Duval County, she had four traffic violations between 1997 and 2007. Three of those violations were for speeding and one was for careless driving in April 2003. The careless driving charge was dismissed.
Cole tried to go by Johnston’s home on Monday, but it’s a gated community in the St. Johns area.
We checked with the state on the status of her medical license and it is still active.
RELATED: Blake Bortles launching week-long fundraiser for late JSO Officer Cathy Adams and her family
On the Florida Department of Health website, Johnston is listed a "chiropractic physician."
She was issued her license on Aug. 13, 2003. Her license will remain current through March 31, 2020.
Oakleaf Chiropractic and Injury center created a Facebook post, saying "A now former member of our staff has made a terrible choice during her personal time that led to a horrific crash and loss of life."
The center goes on to say they conduct an extensive criminal background check on all employees, and "…She previously has been a respected member of the Chiropractic community throughout Jacksonville for many years."
Cole reached out to the Jacksonville-based center, but they were closed on Monday, so she’s been unable to confirm Johnston’s current employment status.
#BlakeBortles has announced that he will match up to $15k of all funds raised in respect for JSO bailiff Cathy Adams, former Marine & @JSOPIO Officer William Adams, & their 2 children in this time of tragedy.
— Blake Bortles Foundation (@BB5Foundation) December 10, 2018
Donate here by Fri. 12/14 at 5pm: https://t.co/wbS7ALv166 pic.twitter.com/TiYxYfytYv
Cox Media Group
