Pretrial Conference Held for Sheridan Woman Charged With Felony DUI

A pretrial conference for a 19-year-old Sheridan woman who is charged with Felony DUI was held Thursday in Fourth Judicial District Court in Sheridan. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has the details.

On August 29 of 2020, Mira Loring was arrested and charged with Felony DUI- Causing Serious Bodily Injury for being the driver in a one-vehicle crash on US Highway 14 in Sheridan County. According to court documents, Loring rolled her vehicle, causing herself and two passengers to be ejected from the vehicle. One of the individuals was life flighted to a hospital in Billings, while another was taken to Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Loring also sustained injuries as a result of the crash. While being interviewed by a trooper with the Wyoming Highway Patrol at the scene of the crash, Loring admitted to driving the vehicle down the mountain after consuming alcohol. A portable breathalyzer test administered on scene showed a blood alcohol content of .124 percent. Loring was then arrested and booked into the Sheridan County Detention Center.  Loring pleaded “not guilty” to the charge at an arraignment hearing in District Court in December.

At a pretrial conference Thursday, District Court Judge John Fenn granted a motion by Loring’s attorney, Ryan Healy, to continue the trial. Healy said he requested the continuance because he is relatively new to the case and there are a number of evidentiary issues that need to be addressed at a motion hearing that is scheduled for April 1. Healy said  that his client had agreed to waive her right to a speedy trial. The jury trial was scheduled to begin on Monday, April 19.  Judge Fenn did not set a new trial date, but said the issue will most likely be addressed at the hearing on April 1 . Felony DUI- Causing Serious Bodily Injury is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of not less than $2,000, and not more than $5,000.