Kelly Ann Hudson of Kirkland pleaded "absolutely not guilty" Thursday to charges of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault in a fatal head-on crash along Juanita Drive that killed an 81-year-old woman.
In an unusual request, Hudson’s lawyer, Scott E. Wonder, asked and was allowed by Judge Ronald Kessler to shield Hudson’s face from media cameras with a thin sheet of Styrofoam during her arraignment in Seattle’s King County Superior Court.
Wonder said Hudson, who remains in King County Jail on $500,000 bond, was concerned that her three children would see her on television or in the newspaper. Wearing orange jail clothing, the thin, blond Hudson walked in with Wonder holding up the sheet of Styrofoam. She then stood before Kessler and said in a clear voice, “Absolutely not guilty,” when he asked for her plea.
Hudson is charged with one count of vehicular homicide and three counts of vehicular assault. She requested and was granted a postponement of her bail hearing, meaning she will remain in jail for the time being. Kessler set her next court date, a case-setting appearance, for Sept. 10.
Charging documents allege Hudson, a 42-year-old Finn Hill woman, was under the influence of alcohol and prescription drugs coming the other way the night of Aug. 7.
Joyce Parsons, who lived just blocks away from Hudson on Finn Hill, was killed in the crash. Parsons' brother, 86-year-old Arthur Kamm of Bellevue, was at the wheel of the car hit and was critically injured in the crash. He remains in the hospital and has not yet regained full lucidity.
“He has no recollection of anything,” Kamm’s son, John Kamm of Bellevue, told reporters after the arraignment. “He has been in and out of our world due to the trauma.”
John Kamm said he was not sure if his father, who was an active, energetic man before the crash, realizes his sister was killed in the crash. “We’re not sure. He has been told repeatedly.”
Kamm described Parsons, his aunt, as “just a total loving, caring generous person. She didn’t deserve to die that way.”
Arthur Kamm, Parsons and two out-of-state relatives, Daniel and Jenny Grieshaber, 72 and 69 respectively, were en route to Parsons home after an evening excursion boat cruise and dinner on Lake Washington. The Grieshabers are out of the hospital but have not fully recovered from their injuries, said John Kamm.
Kamm described the family’s ordeal since the crash as “like being in a washing machine on spin cycle. It’s been very traumatic.”
Joyce Parsons' son, Keith Parsons of Newcastle, also attended the arraignment to--like John Kamm--see the suspect driver. They were surprised when the judge allowed Hudson’s attorney to shield her from the cameras.
“I wonder if she was embarrassed to show her face at her house when she was allegedly taking pharmaceuticals and drinking wine,” Kamm said.
Keith Parsons said he had been to his mother’s home on Finn Hill several times since the crash and that the experience has been difficult. “We’ve passed the scene a number of times. It’s hard for me to imagine how a normal person could ever let that happen.”
A simple white cross now marks the spot on Juanita Drive near 120th Street Northeast.
Attorney Wonder issued a statement on behalf of the Hudson family, saying “they are all very hurt and sorry for the Parsons family and are praying for them every day.”
Wonder said some inaccurate information on the crash had been reported, and cautioned reporters about jumping to conclusions.
“Our investigation has just started,” he said. “Our big concern is that Kelly gets a fair trial. This is a tragedy and we have to figure out what happened.”
Wonder noted that Hudson’s blood alcohol had been tested but that prosecutors have not yet released the results. He said he requested that he be allowed to shield Hudson’s face because she did not want her children to see her in that situation.
“She has three children in junior high and high school. They are with her family and with friends,” he said. “We can’t control what they see when they are with friends.”
Dear anonymous to answer your question the police report is not complete and the blood test to my understanding is not released. I believe people should wait until the trial starts
In the end, who cares how hated the woman has been in the past 20 years, the fact remains that someone is dead and she caused it. Well unless her lawyer is going to claim some kind of mechanical failure as to what led to her crossing the center line. Hmmm....Well now would that not be a kick in the ass eh? Let's just wait and see.
I did see all the cars for the estate sale. However, KH's house is always shut up tight, I cannot imagine she'd be on her lawn chatting and laughing.
Has anyone heard what the final results are?
Due to Kelly Hudson, my father will be in a wheel chair for the rest of his life. The other family members, who lived thru the wreck, do have life changing injuries and will never be as they were before Kelly Husdon hit them. And my Aunt is still very dead. When there is a date set, I do plan to attend every day to see that my family does get a fair shake in this mess. I'd rather not see Kelly Hudson "get off" on some kind of legal deal or something I would like to see her have to face what she did and not have it just slide off as "oh well".
We all agree that she should have to live with this for the rest of her life. The Death Sentence was brought up by fellow colleagues that I know that felt an "Eye for an Eye" this sickens me to no end. If this was the case then we would have 2/3rds of the population taken care of. My friend, my family and I have your family and friends in our prayers, something I would like to leave you with, that I keep to heart! He prayeth best, who loveth best All things both great and small; For the dear God who loveth us, He made and loveth all. ~~The Rime of the Ancient Mariner~~ DSVSeaquest
I would be very happy to never hear her name again, I've got enough mess to clean up thanks to her. Maybe I will see you in court. Because I will be there. I have NO idea where you are getting the idea my family and I are "after her". Maybe you can explain to me (in more then just a line or 2) where you are coming from. I would really like to understand your side.