Man gets probation for role in crash

By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer

GALLUP — A former Marine who fled the scene of a fatal crash in 2004 was sentenced to 22 months of probation on Tuesday for his role in a collision that claimed the life of an Arizona mother of two.

Those who were involved in the crash say the sentence is too lenient and that New Mexico laws regarding the issue have to change.

Rolando Chee pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of the crash that killed 43-year-old Lidia Bonner, of Surprise, Ariz., and was credited for 14 months served in custody. Bonner's and Chee's vehicles crashed at the intersection of New Mexico 412 and the westbound I-40 off-ramp near Bluewater.

According to reports, investigators discovered a bottle of liquor inside Chee's vehicle, but were unable to prove he was legally intoxicated because he fled the accident scene and was not captured for months to come.

Prosecutors initially charged Chee with felony counts, which included vehicular homicide and great bodily injury, but accepted Chee's plea to the lesser charge because they could not prove he was behind the wheel when the crash occurred. If convicted of vehicular homicide alone, Chee would have been eligible for at least six years in prison.

"I lost my best friend, my soul mate," Samuel Bonner, Lidia Bonner's husband, said of his wife's death.

Bonner, a passenger in his wife's vehicle, sustained serious injuries and underwent open-heart surgery to repair an infected valve that was damaged as a result of the crash.

Samuel Bonner was traveling with his wife and couple John and Holly Dickerson to bury Bonner's young grandson. While in Albuquerque, Bonner said he read a newspaper article about a judge who was fired for a drunken driving offense.

"After reading that, I didn't expect to get any justice in this case," Bonner said.

Holly Dickerson said Chee's case was mishandled and that neither she nor other passengers were interviewed in depth following the crash. Dickerson said she wanted the case to go to trial and did not approve of the plea agreement.

But Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Calligan said two state police officers were going to testify that their investigation revealed Lidia Bonner most likely drove through a stop sign prior to the collision. Calligan said the more serious charges also require his office to prove the crash would not have happened, if it had not been for alcohol.

Because Chee fled the scene, police officers were also unable to determine whether his blood-alcohol content was above the legal limit.

"There is no doubt in my mind he was driving," Calligan said. "but we can't prove whether he was impaired."

Calligan said Holly Dickerson told investigators that she did not remember specifics of the accident, but wanted to testify at trial. She allegedly wanted officials to walk her through the crime scene, so she could remember what occurred. Calligan said he cannot "coach" a witness.

"I can't be a part of any of that," he said.

Dickerson said Chee's case sends the wrong message to potential offenders.

"If you leave the scene of an accident when your drunk, you won't have to face the alcohol-related charges," she said.

Dickerson plans to propose a bill to state leaders, entitled "The Lidia Act," that would hold offenders accountable for leaving the scenes of accidents. The bill calls for offenders, in similar situations, to be charged with offenses such as tampering with evidence or aggravated drunken driving.

Bobbie Franklin, Chee's attorney, said her client developed an alcohol problem while serving in the military overseas. She also said Chee underwent therapy and rehabilitation and plans to remove alcohol from his lifestyle.

"He believes he has found the strength within himself to never partake in alcohol," Franklin said.

Chee briefly addressed the court and apologized to the Bonner and Dickerson families.

"I am very sorry for your pain and loss," Chee said.

Chee has said his friend was driving the vehicle.

Meanwhile, Samuel Bonner and the Dickersons plan to catch a late afternoon flight from New Mexico, but they hope the state adopts legislation to prevent similar situations in the future.

"I am leaving today, but the rest of you have to live with these laws," John Dickerson said.