A shocking case has emerged from Alaska, USA, where a woman allegedly drove drunk, hit and killed a cyclist, and then tried to bribe police officers to avoid getting arrested. The accused, 40-year-old Stephanie Dill, is now facing multiple serious charges.
What Happened on June 19?
On June 19, Stephanie Dill was driving a Mazda SUV in Anchorage, Alaska. According to police, she had just left a restaurant and was driving the wrong way on a road.
Witnesses and camera footage show her car speeding and swerving across the road before hitting a cyclist, 48-year-old Radahámez Rodriguez Pérez, who was riding on the shoulder of the road.
Pérez died at the scene. Reports say he was on a phone call with his mother at the time of the accident.
Signs of Drunk Driving
When police arrived, they noticed that Dill smelled of alcohol and had bloodshot, watery eyes — signs that she may have been drinking. However, she refused to take a breath test or do field sobriety tests at the scene. She simply told the officers, “just arrest me.”
Five hours after her arrest, while in custody, she finally agreed to take a breathalyzer test. Her blood alcohol content (BAC) was 0.178, which is more than double Alaska’s legal limit of 0.08.
Alleged Bribe Attempt
After being arrested, Dill allegedly tried to bribe one of the officers. Police documents say she offered the officer $1,000 in cash if he would release her and “act like nothing happened.” She repeated the offer when asked, insisting she had the money on her and wanted to be dropped off just down the street.
This action led to an additional charge — bribery of a public servant.
Damage to Vehicle
Police noted that Dill’s car had serious front-end damage. The windshield was smashed, and there was blood on the passenger side. These details match the video footage showing the crash.
Court Appearance and Charges
Stephanie Dill has been charged with manslaughter, reckless driving, DUI (driving under the influence), bribery, and refusing a sobriety test. She was released after posting a $10,000 bond.
However, even after being out on bond, she failed to show up for a court hearing scheduled on Thursday. Her next appearance is now set for July 31.
This case has stirred outrage and raised serious concerns about drinking and driving. A life was lost, and a family is grieving, while the legal process moves forward.
Trying to bribe a police officer only made matters worse for the accused. The incident reminds us of the importance of responsible driving and respecting the law, especially when lives are at stake.
