Woman indicted in cyclist's death

The woman who has admitted driving the SUV that struck a cyclist Jan. 31, killing him, has been indicted on charges including aggravated vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of a crash and driving while under the influence of drugs.

Melinda Woodall, 34, of Amelia, was indicted Tuesday by a Hamilton County grand jury. If convicted of all the charges, she faces up to 15 years in prison, prosecutors said.

Woodall was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee westbound on U.S. 52 in Anderson Township when officials say she drove into the right shoulder and struck Michael Prater's bicycle from behind. The crash happened at about 4 p.m. Woodall has previously said she was distracted by a couple in the back seat who were physically fighting.

Prater, 42, was doing everything right, prosecutors said, as he rode along the four-lane highway.

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After the impact, Prater struck Woodall’s windshield, and he was found about 50 yards from where the SUV initially struck him, according to a news release from the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office.  Despite what happened and with heavy damage to her SUV, the news release said, Woodall failed to stop and assist Mr. Prater or call 911. Instead, witnesses called 911.

Prater died the next morning from his injuries.

Hamilton County sheriff's deputies located Woodall five miles away near 1800 Sutton Road, walking away from the disabled SUV.

Court documents say Woodall had five syringes with residue, a metal spoon and a tourniquet in her purse. She also had three pill bottles containing prescription drugs stashed in her bra, according to the documents.

Her driver's license was suspended at the time, prosecutors said.

"Absolutely senseless," Prosecutor Joe Deters said in a statement. "Our community is grieving the loss of a husband, father and friend simply because of someone under the influence of drugs."

Woodall's attorney, Hal Arenstein, declined to comment.