A Silverdale woman is facing a felony charge of vehicular assault and driving under the influence for allegedly hitting two bicyclists on Highway 19 in July 2021.

Brooke L. Phillips was scheduled to make her preliminary appearance in Jefferson County Superior Court on April 14.

Charges were filed against Phillips, 25, on March 6.

Prosecutors allege Phillips was driving south on Highway 19 just before 2 p.m. July 13, 2021 when witnesses saw a driver in a gray Acura hit a bicyclist who was riding on the right side of the shoulder.

A driver who was in a truck behind the Acura driver took multiple videos of the driver, later identified as Phillips, cross over the fog line and center lines multiple times.

Another witness said the driver was tailing the vehicle in front of it and was swerving, at times going into the bike lane, according to a report from the Washington State Patrol.

That witness also said the driver at one point clipped a cyclist, kept driving, and “did not slow down in any way.” She said the driver continued tailgating the vehicle in front and was swerving as it drove away.

One of the bicyclists said the driver in the Acura hit her friend and caused her to crash, and the collision also caused her to crash.

The impact knocked the passenger-side mirror off the car. It was found on the ground next to the first bicyclist.

One of the bicyclists had substantial head injuries, as well as a broken elbow and “road rash,” according to the State Patrol report. The other bicyclist sustained head injuries.

Phillips allegedly admitted to an officer that she had hit a bicyclist.

She left the scene after the collision but came back after turning around at the Hood Canal Bridge, five miles away.

Phillips appeared to be impaired when questioned by a State Trooper, and was described as having slurred speech and droopy eyelids, and swayed as she stood.

She told police she did not have anything to drink, but had taken prescription medicine that included suboxone and another anti-depressant medication, according to court documents.

Phillips failed roadside sobriety tests, but a breath test showed no signs of alcohol.

She was arrested for DUI and vehicular assault, and a drug recognition expert was brought in from the Poulsbo Police Department to examine Phillips at Jefferson County Jail.

After additional walk-and-turn and one-leg stand tests, the officer determined Phillips was impaired and under the influence of depressants and pain relievers. Blood samples were later taken after a judge approved a search warrant.

Conviction of vehicular assault can result in a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. 

Conviction of DUI can carry a maximum sentence of 264 days in jail and a $5,000 fine.