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Half Million Dollar Bond For DUI Death
June 13, 2009
Bond has been set at a half million dollars for the the woman charged with driving drunk and killing a bicyclist on Nine Mile Road Wednesday night.
Christina Rivkin remains in the Escambia County Jail on the $500,000 bond charged with DUI manslaughter and four other charges in connection with the death of Michael Steele, 25. The Florida Highway Patrol says Rivkin was traveling westbound on Nine Mile Road when she crossed the white line near Brewster Street and struck Steele as he was riding his bicycle to work at Winn Dixie about 11:15 Wednesday night. Troopers say Steele and his bicycle were dragged under Rivkin’s GMC Yukon for about a quarter of a mile. Rivkin then fled the scene.
She made her appearance Friday afternoon before Judge Thomas Johnson via a video feed from the Escambia County Jail. Rivkin could be seen wiping tears from her eyes during her appearance. State Attorney Bill Eddins had requested that bond be set at $1 million because Rivkin has two previous DUIs — one in Escambia County and one in Ohio. Johnson denied that request, setting the bond at the half million.
Rivkin will be back in court on July 2 for an arraignment hearing. She told the judge that she will hire her own attorney.
About an hour after Wednesday night’s accident, Rivkin returned to the scene, where she “skidded to an abrupt stop nearly striking the patrol car of Deputy Mark Smith,” the FHP report says. She “appeared extremely intoxicated. She smelled strongly of alcoholic beverage and her speech was slurred. She could not walk without assistance. (She) could not remember her name or say where she was,” the report continues.
Rivkin, according to the FHP, refused to perform a breath test, and a blood sample was taken to determine her blood alcohol level. Those test results are not yet available.
“He jumped out in front of me. What was I suppose to do?” Rivkin told a trooper at the scene.
The FHP says that the front of Rivkin’s vehicle had damage consistent with hitting the bicyclist, and “there appeared to be blood on the front of her vehicle.”
Rivkin is the estranged wife of Escambia County Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Rivkin, according to an FHP report.
Rivkin had at least two prior DUI arrests and five other moving violations, according to the FHP.
Steele was riding his bicycle to work as part of the stock crew at the Nine Mile Road Winn Dixie when the accident occurred, according to family members. Steele and his wife, Brittney, 20, only owned one car, and family members said he wanted his wife to have the car for her morning commute. He rode the bicycle so that she did not have to drive him to work so that she would be well rested for her job.
Pictured above: Christina Rivkin’s Escambia County Jail booking photo. Authorities first refused to release the photo because Rivkin is the wife of an Escambia County Deputy, citing a law that provides privacy for a deputy’s spouse. Click to enlarge.
Comments
10 Responses to “Half Million Dollar Bond For DUI Death”
YES this story is very sad.
A pretty young woman stuck in prison for twenty years and most other women only get 3 to 6 years for doing the same thing…
Christina is just one of those people that won’t quit driving drunk unless she is in prison or dead..
Christina Rivkin was a good person, who made a hugh mistake that cost someone their life. I pray for her & both families. I am just sorry Christina did not get the help she needed.
All states are really cracking down on dui’s.
She is still in jail right now, but I would bet money that when she does get out that she will be drunk again very soon after being released.
I don’t see her getting less than 10yrs for this. And the family of Mr. Steele will get to be heard by the judge and jury before sentencing.
I can’t even express how sorry I am for the entire family of the victim…and also Chrissy’s family back in Ohio. I knew her when she lived in OH. – just a small town girl…good family…sweet girl, nice girl, laughed alot, played basketball, not the kind of girl you would ever picture this happening to. I don’t know what has happened in her life in the last few years, but can only imagine what could have drove her to be in this situation. I hope in everyone’s hearts, they realize – this could be someone you may know one day…a friend, a neighbor, a cousin, a parent, or your own child…someone who probably never thought she would hurt someone, someone confused & scared and lonely and lost. She is a Mother, her son will probably not remember a life withougt his mother behind bars. Please don’t mistake my heart ache as making excuses for Chrissy…She is about to spend the rest of her life behind bars. And, although I am quite sure this is absolutely no consolation of any sort to the victims family…she will see justice handed down swiftly in this case. My heart goes out to everyone involved. I wish with all my heart she would have gotten the help she so desperately needed.
If she would have been punished/made to get treatment the first time I dont care whos wife she is he is no better than the man she hit I know first hand we have a SORRY legal system I would like to know how anyone allowed her to have a vehicle? I guess it goes to show its all about who you know!
What a horrible story? Trying to make an honest living and then WHAM you are hit by an idot who had been drinking!!!!! That poor wife, lost her husband to a sensless act. I pray for the widow so young, Lord bless this family. Save this drunkards life. She needs to saved
There is no excuse for driving drunk. She should be in jail from the first DUI. My prayers go out to the Steele family.
The chair for this one!
She went back because that what drunk ignorants do.
This is a tragedy….I still wonder why she went back to the accident.