Woman Charged in Fatal 154 Crash

Priscilla Susman — accused of causing last month’s fatal accident on Highway 154 — was placed under arrest yesterday morning on charges of manslaughter and felony driving under the influence. Susman suffered serious injuries in the multi-car collision and had been recuperating at Cottage Hospital since the accident on September 15.

According to CHP spokesperson Jeremy Wayland, officers were present with an arrest warrant when Susman was discharged and immediately took her into custody.

Susman, owner of Paradise Store on Paradise Road just off Highway 154, was reportedly driving eastbound on the 154 at around 8:20 p.m. along the curved portion of the road between Stagecoach Road and East Camino Cielo Road when her car slammed into the side of a Pontiac that was also traveling eastbound.

The impact, said Wayland, caused both cars to spin out of control into the westbound lanes and directly into the path of three oncoming vehicles. One of the cars was driven by 73-year-old Solvang resident Liesel Elizabeth Ryden, who suffered fatal injuries as a result of the ensuing collision and passed away soon after.

All of the other drivers involved were hurt, some seriously.