The Utah driver who blamed a bout of uncontrollable defecation for an accident that left two bicyclist brothers lifeless has a historical past of drunk driving and a number of well being points, in line with reviews.
Julie Ann Budge, 47, who struck the brothers along with her SUV in Washington Metropolis on Saturday, was convicted in 2015 for driving below the affect, the Salt Lake Tribune reported.
She additionally was convicted in 2006 for an unknown offense, the information outlet reported.
Budge has additionally detailed varied well being struggles through the years in posts on Facebook, together with sharing one photograph during which she is sporting a T-shirt bearing the message, “Straight outta habit.”
In September 2018, she wrote: “Been going via a bipolar episode because the fifth. New to me bc often I sleep sleep sleep. This time I can’t and reached my restrict right now. Mentally, emo and bodily exhausted.”
In one other submit, she thanked varied folks for his or her assist.
“I consider in expressing gratitude and letting others know they’re valued. As addicts, esp (not all of you), we underestimate our value and our affect on others. TY a lot!” she mentioned.
Budge on Saturday blamed her “varied medical points,” together with irritable bowel syndrome, for placing Adam Bullard, 49, and Matthew Bullard, 47, as they rode throughout a race within the bike lane, officers mentioned.
Budge instructed cops that her medical concern precipitated her to defecate “with out warning” and swerve into the 2 males, according to KUTV.
She was being held following the crash below statement within the Purgatory Correctional Facility in Hurricane, the Salt Lake Tribune reported.
In her posts on Fb, she has made quite a few requests for donations to the Nationwide Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
“I’ve chosen this nonprofit as a result of their mission means loads to me, and I hope you’ll contemplate contributing as a approach to have fun with me,” Budge wrote.
In July 2021, Budge posted images of a gun holster and wrote: “Hopefully this received’t be deleted. Adjustable holster. Prob 9mm ? Left behind by my ex. Would really like $10, I’ve zero use for it.”
She additionally referred to her well being woes, saying she had misplaced her Medicare “because of a paperwork error.
“I’m in dire want of a blood strain cuff at $40 and need assistance with prescriptions I completely want and may’t afford,” Budge wrote.
“I’ve lately had an ER go to for extreme muscle ache and spasms and labs indicated inner irritation of unknown origin and plenty of signs of rheumatoid arthritis,” she added.
Her final submit was apparently made final August when she complained of automobile points.
“I believe the entrance headlights of my suv are starting to exit and questioned if anybody may advocate a spot that has cheap charges to lol [sic] at them and probably exchange them,” she wrote.
Budge has been charged with two counts of vehicle murder because of legal negligence, two counts of failure to stay at an accident involving dying and two counts of DUI with critical bodily damage by negligent operation. The costs are all felonies.
She additionally was slapped with a misdemeanor cost of reckless driving and an infraction for improper lane journey.
In the meantime, associates and family mourned the lack of the Bullard siblings, each of Whittier, California.
Matthew’s spouse mentioned on Fb that Adam, a mechanic at Cyclery Bike Store in Southern California, was his “greatest buddy” and posted photographs from her brother-in-law’s Instagram account.
“That is how they spent their final day,” she wrote.
The store’s proprietor, Steve Herrera, has launched a GoFundMe marketing campaign for the households of the avid cyclists, the Salt Lake Tribune reported.
“Matt and Adam lived a full life, devoted to Jesus Christ, their households, and one another,” Herrera wrote on the fundraiser’s web page, including that the brothers have been “inseparable” and close to the end line once they have been struck.
“Every a rock star in their very own proper, Adam leaves behind his spouse, Shannon, and son Jacob, and Matt leaves behind his spouse, April, his son Michael, and his three daughters Amanda, Abby and Sarah,” Herrera added.
Mark Mendez, the bike store’s basic supervisor, mentioned Adam “was only a stunning soul. He was at all times blissful. He by no means had any dangerous intentions for something,” KSL-TV reported.
Budge didn’t instantly reply to request for remark.
