TEENAGER INDICTED IN ATTEMPTED SUICIDE CAR CRASH

Louise Egan Brunstad Charged with Six Counts in Crash that Killed Mother of 3

The Fulton County grand jury has returned an indictment in the case of 16-year-old Louise Egan Brunstad in the October 4, 2006 automobile crash that took the life of 30-year-old Nancy Salado-Mayo and injured her 6 year-old daughter. The grand jurors issued a 6-count indictment charging Brunstad with felony murder, aggravated assault with a motor vehicle, serious injury by vehicle, reckless driving, driving on the wrong side of the road and speeding. Felony murder is the commission of a felony—in this case, aggravated assault with a motor vehicle—without the intention to take human life.

Witnesses told police Brunstad was driving north on Roswell Road at a high rate of speed when her 2003 Mercedes C-240 crossed the center line and slammed head-on into the 1999 Daewoo driven by Ms. Salado-Mayo. Ms. Salado-Mayo was pronounced dead at the scene. Her daughter, Lesly, who was strapped into a safety seat in the back seat, sustained fractured ribs and other injuries. Based on witness accounts and the physical evidence in the case, the indictment alleges Brunstad crossed the center line and struck the other car intentionally with the purported purpose of committing suicide.

Brunstad is scheduled to appear at a plea and arraignment hearing on May 4, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom 8-E before Superior Court Judge Christopher Brasher.

CONTACT: Lyn Vaughn, 404.730.6860 (office); 770.597.6963 (cell); lyn.vaughn@co.fulton.ga.us