PONTIAC, MI — A Pontiac judge set a hefty bond amount for Leshia Barnes, a 24-year-old Pontiac woman suspected of being drunk when she ran a red light and T-boned a Pontiac Montana, critically injuring three children and seriously injuring the driver. The 23-year-old driver of the Pontiac minivan was listed in serious condition. Her daughter, a three-year-old who was in a child seat in the rear of the van, is on life support, Oakland County sheriff’s deputies said in a statement Monday.
The driver’s 16-year-old brother and his 2-year-old son, also in a child seat, were critically injured.
Barnes, who herself remained hospitalized Monday, is charged with three counts of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing serious injury, each count punishable by up to five years in prison. Barnes’ bond was set at $500,000 with no 10 percent option.
Detectives say she had a blood-alcohol level of .156 percent, nearly twice the legal limit, and state police forensics investigators are conducting follow up tests on her blood.
“As of 10 a.m. today, April 20, the three-year-old is still critical and in very grave condition,” sheriff’s officials said Monday.