Leslie A. Patrick

KOSCIUSKO — A Syracuse woman was arrested after operating a vehicle with opiates in her system, causing the death of a passenger in her vehicle.

Leslie Ann Patrick, 39, 4484 E. CR 1300N, Syracuse is being charged with operating a vehicle causing death, a level 5 felony; and operating a vehicle causing death with a sentence enhancement, a level 4 felony.

On Aug. 11, 2018, Patrick was operating a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado and was traveling north on CR 500W when she failed to notice a blue 2013 GMC truck, operated by Ronald L. Swihart, 65, Rochester, traveling west on US 30. When officers arrived at the scene, Patrick and passenger Kevin L. Hobbs, 53, Claypool, were still inside the Silverado.

Patrick, Swihart and Hobbs were transported to the hospital from the accident. Hobbs later passed away on Aug. 18 from injuries sustained in the accident.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, an investigative subpoena was issued to obtain toxicology results for Patrick. Results indicated that Patrick had opiates and marijuana in her system at the time of the crash.

Patrick was previously convicted of operating a vehicle while intoxicated in Elkhart County on Aug. 29, 2011.

She was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on Feb. 22, 2019, with a $12,500 surety and cash bond.