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DUI Manslaughter Suspect Released On Bond
December 24, 2015
A Cantonment woman accused of the DUI death of a former Byrneville Elementary School teacher is now free on bond.
Wednesday during her first court appearance, an Escambia County Judge set bond at $100,000 for 52-year old Debra Marlene Ahearn , and she was released from jail just before 5 p.m.
According to court documents, Ahearn’s initial blood alcohol level was .291 — over three and half times the legal limit – when she pulled her 2006 Town and Country van directly into the path of a northbound Chevrolet Tahoe driven by 56-year old John Edward Ryland of Atmore on Highway 29 south of Muscogee Road. The Tahoe was then struck by a northbound Chevrolet Cobalt driven by 21-year old Dontavious Rashwn Anderson of Cantonment.
A passenger in the Tahoe, 61-year old Barbara M. Ryland of Atmore, was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola where she was pronounced deceased shortly after the 6:11 pm. crash last Friday. The driver of the Tahoe, John Ryland, was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was treated and released Saturday.
Ahearn was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital where she was treated and then released into police custody, while Anderson was taken to West Florida Hospital with minor injuries.
Barbara Ryland was a teacher in the Escambia County School District for over 30 years and continued to substitute after her retirement.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Comments
30 Responses to “DUI Manslaughter Suspect Released On Bond”
Prayers for the Mckay and Ryland family . Rest in peace Mrs.barbara and praying for justice to be served for the woman drinking and driving that took your life from you and your family . Prayers for your husband and his recovery
REGARDING:
“If anyone operating a vehicle has a BAC of .08 or above they are impaired, by the laws. I’m not a mathmetician either but she was over .2, almost three times the legal limit. Those are all facts and when they are ignored, that is a crime.”
Worse than that, per the previous article:
“According to court documents, Ahearn’s initial blood alcohol level was .291 — over three and half times the legal limit.”
Assuming the equipment was accurate, she was drunk.
No evidence that was ignored or will be when it comes to trial.
Interesting she went 14 years before her previous problem and two more to this one.
I wonder why.
It looked like she had wised up.
Very sad.
David for justice
and comfort to those who mourn
While some are persuaded by their hearts in serving justice it doesn’t make them ignorant to the law. What it does make them is caring humans who would rather not tolerate animalistic behavior. Here is a summary driving history for Debra Ahearn.
06/24/1996; Driving while license suspended/revoked and careless driving.
11/14/1996; 54mph in a 45mph zone
09/30/1999; 39mph in a 30mph zone
11/08/1999; 80mph in a 55mph zone
12/17/2013; Careless driving.
In a conviction not related to driving…..12/05/1996; alcohol to person under 21.
I am not a lawyer but I do understand the process of law. If anyone operating a vehicle has a BAC of .08 or above they are impaired, by the laws. I’m not a mathmetician either but she was over .2, almost three times the legal limit. Those are all facts and when they are ignored, that is a crime.
Yes, , she is out , My husband and I were talking about it. I thought she would not get out. I do know this I told my husband , if she is guilty, she is never gonna see the light of day again. I hate to admit this but If I were her I would go to Alaska right now, cause I think this is the only freedom she will ever know again, best thing to do is go disappear…………
REGARDING:
“We have the right to vote a judge out. Didn’t you know that?”
Have at it.
If you prefer a judge who ignores the law, replace her with a crook.
(That’s what a lawbreaker is, isn’t it?)
I hate what the drunk did.
I suspect, thinking back, she hates she did it.
You want to punish her before her trial.
You may even want to kill her, after all, SHE killed.
If everyone accused of a crime were punished before trial, imagine if someone accused you of something you didn’t do and either charged you a million dollars for your freedom before your trial or locked you up with homicidal, rapist criminals for a year or so awaiting trial.
For the purpose of bail, even this see s excessive.
If she’s going to drive drunk and kill again, she should never be free.
This isn’t really likely.
She is unlikely to flee the country or not show up for trial no matter what her bail.
David for justice,
even in the face of tragedy
The escambia clerks website shows Judge Joyce Williams as the judge who set her bond. It also shows a very troubled past for this woman, i.e selling alcohol to a minor, a couple of citations for careless driving. It seems this woman has been making bad decisions since at least 1998 perhaps before then and finally things just caught up with her.
If you never take that first drink, you’ll never become an alcoholic, or kill someone drunk driving!
@david green,
We have the right to vote a judge out. Didn’t you know that? A 100,000.00 dollar bond for killing someone is far from excessive. Who is the judge???
REGARDING:
“Who is the judge? We have the right to know!”
The one who was scheduled to hear her yesterday is listed by
escambiaclerk.com/clerk/coc_online_public_records.aspx
It also shows any previous run-ins with the law for traffic infractions or any other thing she or anyone else might have been accused of and final disposition of each case.
(Check your neighbors and yourself out while at it, it is most interesting)
It is silly to blame her for applying the law lawfully despite this lady’s infractions.
The government should not act unlawfully because criminals act unlawfully.
You already know the Constitution forbids excessive bail Amendment VIII says:
“Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”
Yes, she did a terrible thing and needs to not drive until the case is heard. We hope whoever paid the $10,000 non-refundable tenth of the set amount will see to it she doesn’t kill anyone else.
It is a shame so many don’t realize cars are deadly if misused.
David for law and order by all
@Patriot
A LOT of are laws and the way we do things donthave a damn thing to do with the constitution. It doesn’t say a darn thing about convicted felons not being able to have a firearm, but they cant. Oh but that’s a good thing (so folks say) but its nowhere in the constitution. And before some moron says yes it is cause the people voted it in through elected officials, I say, so did they with homosexual marriage. But that don’t seem to count.
At any rate, whether you like it or not, bond is punitive. It’s fact. And in instances like Debra Ahearn, it’s a good thing, if it had been applied. However, law is always discretionary. They (any form of govt) never apply it as narrowly to themselves as with the ones they seek to go after. For example, ECSO. Have you ever hear of the State’s Attorney or FDLE NOT finding an officers actions justified ?
She has only been acused?come on
..she blew …she was way beyond drunk
what kind of defense will our tax money attorney come up with?She was driving…caused an accident resulting in a death.Cant see how she can be anything but GUILTY..No question.Maybe she will save us all some money and just plead guilty
Drink and drive..then kill..yet pot is illegal..makes sense doesn`t it
I totally agree with Gary and everyone else. I say the same thing all the time….countless people are killed every day because of alcohol and drunk driving and not to mention the many other ways alcohol ruins lives (health / fighting) when not done responsibly. This is so disgusting that she is out on bond unreal! Im sure this makes the victim’s family feel good!
If this lady gets in a vehicle again they should arrest the person that posted her bond…. .29 is crazy drunk! Most jails will no house anyone over .30…there in medical care till it drops.
WOW! Out on bond!?! This judgement is rediculous! It makes absolutely no sense to me. Drugs impair, they are against the law! Alcohol impairs as well, yet they still sell it; knowing that people are going to purchase it. This to me is a drug as well. Oh I forgot! The government collects taxes on this, so let’s keep selling it, so the population can decrease!!! Sure Mrs Ahearn gohave another! My thoughts and prayers for the Ryland family…
For those of you confused about the phrase “judge not”. Biblically it ONLY apply s to judging if a person is a Christian or not if they say that they are. It has nothing to do with judging a person for a crime.
I wonder if those who think it is compassionate to release her will feel the same way if she gets drunk over the holidays and drives again.
Being truly compassionate would be to ensure she does not kill anyone else’s loved ones.
What she did has little difference from loading a gun, walking to the street and firing indiscriminately. She got drunk and drove. If she were even the slightest bit concerned about the consequences she would have asked for a ride instead of driving.
In reference to Michelle’s question, the insurance agent you speak of was CONVICTED, this woman is only ACCUSED. I find it shameful that so many on here are so quick to trample on the Constitution when it’s someone else.
For the rest of you, a bond is set to ensure that the accused returns to court, it is NOT supposed to be punitive.
It would do many of y’all on here good to actually READ the Bill of Rights.
Merry Christmas!
jeeperman….The individual who was the restaurant employee is a 17 year old female. She spoke with a law enforcement official today. While your attempts to stop a drunk driver are admirable, we are not all equally as physical. She called 9-1-1 which may not be as masculine as slitting tires but it was the best option for her safety.
Perhaps the bond amount is what it is because she has no priors for DUI.
First offense, etc.
And too many voters also drink and/or drive everyday and so the laws are not as severe versus crimes involving a gun or knife or club, etc.
I am wondering where she was when she got so drunk and then drove away?
On another post, someone said she stopped at a restaurant and a meek attempt to stop her from driving off was made by an employee.
If I encounter someone that drunk trying to drive away, they are going to get their tires slit.
He did what everybody screams for JUDGE NOT…………..
Tell me this…how is it that an insurance agent who was convicted for racketeering has to spend Christmas in jail… but this woman, who KILLED ANOTHER HUMAN BEING, gets to go home and celebrate with her family! What is the world coming to???? I love my country, but I am seriously DISAPPOINTED in our justice system!
This is insane. If it were me, I would feel so guilty I wouldn’t want to get out for Christmas. I don’t think I could stand myself. Debra, how can you perform such selfish acts one after the other ?
It’s as if after taking what appears to be a wonderful women from her family, your now slapping them in the face. If it were my wife, mother, etc. I say before the living Christ I may not be able to adhere to his teachings and you may need to be in hiding.
Shame on the judge for not giving a much higher bond commensurate with your b.a.c. And shame on the bondsman.
I hope the family of Mrs. Ryland is stronger than I and can celebrate her life on the birthday of the Christ. May the Father keep her. God bless you.
http://www.escambiaclerk.com/xml/xmlBM.asp?ucase_id=2179531
VIDEO APPEARANCE SET FOR 12/23/2015 AT 1:30 PM IN MC
JDG: WILLIAMS, JOYCE H
Unreal! She is spending Christmas with her family and friends. They Ryland and McKay family are grieving and planning a funeral. What on earth was the judge thinking? Never mind he wasn’t thinking. The least he could of done was make her spend the holidays unable to drink and drive again.
I grieve for the family and loved ones who have had one so loved taken from them. Still, we should remember that we need to set aside our righteous indignation and take the beam from our own eye. This woman has every right that you would also have to be bonded out of jail. More than anything, she needs healing from whatever drove her to drink so very much and then drive. What happened is absolutely awful but, especially in this season of forgiveness and redemption, this woman needs our prayers. God will take care of the moral and spiritual issues, the judicial system will deal with the law. The rest of us (me included) need to work on our humanity and compassion.
The previous comments are asking questions that deserve answers. When a gun is used during a crime 10-20-life applies. Why is there no mandatory for taking a life while driving? I understand the difference between murder and manslaughter but when one chooses to drive drunk the penalties need to be more severe. How many parents have to lose a child, how many children have to lose a parent, how many loved ones have to be lost before this crime is taken seriously!?
I get that people make mistakes everyday & all deserve forgiveness. But when you drink & drive & KILL someone because of YOUR SELFISHNESS, you not only ruin your life but break many hearts by one selfish, STUPID decision. Then, you get released from jail & get to spend time with family, yet the family you stole joy and a life from will never have that person/loved one here on Earth again. My heartfelt prayers go out to those mourning this tragic loss, may God comfort you in your time of need.
Pretty ridiculous less than a week after killing someone released from jail… gets to spend Christmas with her family, that must be nice. To bad others won’t have their loved one.
Obama wants to outlaw guns. Why doesn’t he try to outlaw alcohol? In 2014 over 10,000 people killed by drunk drivers. Drunk drivers who kill someone should be charged with murder.
Who is the judge? We have the right to know!