Modesto woman sentenced for meth DUI, hitting bicyclist

A 29-year-old Modesto woman has been sentenced to six years and four months in prison for driving while high on methamphetamine and hitting a bicyclist.

Jade Lichtenauer on Feb. 27 was convicted of driving under the influence of drugs causing injury, hit-and-run with injury, and vehicle theft. Deputy District Attorney Scott Uemura prosecuted the case.

On Aug. 25, Lichtenauer took her grandmother’s car without permission. Prosecutors said a sample of Lichtenauer’s blood later tested positive for meth.

She was heading down on Ninth Street in downtown Modesto when Lichtenauer hit the bicyclist, who suffered serious injuries including numerous facial fractures.

After hitting the bicyclist, the defendant drove away and crashed numerous times along the way before stopping in Riverbank, where she was arrested.

Lichtenauer admitted having two previous convictions for driving under the influence. Her latest conviction is considered a “strike” under state’s three strikes law, because she caused great bodily injury to the bicyclist.

This story was originally published May 1, 2015 at 9:24 AM with the headline "Modesto woman sentenced for meth DUI, hitting bicyclist."