Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 31, 1990 TAG: 9007310122
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By Associated Press
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Short
Kluge did not speak during a 15-minute hearing in Albemarle County General District Court.
Attorneys for Kluge, 41, argued for the dismissal of a reckless driving charge because the rural road she was driving on when she said she swerved to avoid hitting an animal is narrow and does not have shoulders.
State Trooper J.E. DeFord said Kluge's vehicle went 35 feet down an embankment and flipped 1 1/2 times before coming to a stop. He said Kluge, who was traveling alone, escaped serious injury because she was wearing a seat belt.
Judge Steven Helvin reduced the charge from reckless driving to improper driving.
"I don't think it's reckless driving, but I do think there is some culpability," he said. "What I have to look at . . . is the reason why she ran off the road. There's lots of animals out there."
Helvin said people should not swerve uncontrollably for animals.
About a dozen reporters went to the court hearing for Kluge, who has received public attention recently for taking personal trips with Virginia Gov. Douglas Wilder.
Kluge, who also had to pay $22 in court costs, was accompanied to court by two attorneys and a security guard. She left the courthouse afterward without comment.
by CNB