Penfield, N.Y. - The woman who police say drove drunk on Sunday and ran over Heather Boyum, 40, was arraigned Thursday afternoon on a vehicular manslaughter charge.
Merkel was also charged with DWI and having inadequate brakes. She pleaded not guilty in Penfield Town Court.
Merkel, who was in handcuffs, cried before the judge and could barely speak.
Her bail was set at $25,000 and $50,000 bond. Merkel indicated to the court that she has no one to bail her out. She has two children she does not have custody of.
The crash happened on Route 250 in Penfield early Sunday around 7:45 am.
According to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, Merkel's friend, 22-year-old Mark Scerbo, was speeding and doing wheelies on his motorcycle when he hit Boyum who was riding her bicycle.
Boyum was thrown into the road and then police say she was run over by Merkel who was driving a 1999 Nissan Altima.
22-year-old Scerbo was charged with manslaughter earlier this week. He was injured in the crash but was released from the hospital Thursday. He's been transported to the Monroe County Jail.
