USC hit-and-run victim's alcohol level

When USC freshman Adrianna Bachan was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver at 3 a.m. last spring, the 18-year-old had a high level of alcohol in her system, according to an autopsy report obtained by USC's NeonTommy newsroom. It's apparently the first time this has been reported, and could affect the upcoming trial of the couple charged in the death. From NeonTommy's story:

With trial six weeks away, an independent legal expert said the newly obtained information could alter the defense strategy. The driver's attorney refused to rule out bringing up Adrianna Bachan's alcohol test results as part of his defense against the charge of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter.

The fact that Bachan was intoxicated at the time of the accident also highlights longstanding concerns about the responsibility of the University of Southern California in overseeing Greek activities....

[Claudia] Cabrera is accused of running a red light on Jefferson Boulevard and striking Bachan and [Marcus] Garfinkle. Upon impact, Garfinkle went through the windshield and became lodged on the dashboard. A short distance later, the Infiniti sedan stopped and the passenger, Josue Luna, removed him from the hood of the car, according to court documents.

The defendants rejected a plea bargain last week that would have sent Luna to prison for six years and Cabrera to prison for four. If convicted, Luna now faces a maximum sentence of seven years; Cabrera, eight.

Bachan's mother says in the story that her daughter's drinking has no bearing on what happened.