By Billy Davis

A Batesville woman convicted of DUI death during a circuit trial this week had three prescription drugs in her blood system according to court testimony.

Cynthia Ann Faulkner, 54, was convicted Wednesday by jurors of killing Barbara Dover in an automobile accident in 2011. Dover was 76.

Authorities alleged Faulkner crossed the centerline of Highway 6, west of Batesville, and struck Dover’s automobile and two others.

Two other witnesses claimed she ran them from the road before the accident.

Dover, of Marks, was the passenger in a car driven by her daughter, The Panolian reported at the time.
She was pronounced dead at the scene.

 Faulkner was represented at trial by attorney David Walker. Assistant District Attorney Jay Hale presented the state’s case.

Sentencing for Faulkner is set for March 4. She faces a maximum 25 years in prison, Hale said.
Hale said a toxicologist with the Mississippi Crime Lab testified that Faulkner tested positive for Lortab, Soma, and Ultram.

Hale credited Batesville police, who responded to the automobile accident, for drawing blood from Faulkner after she was admitted to Tri-Lakes Medical Center.

“They deserve credit for their work,” he said. “They did a good job on this case.”

Walker successfully motioned for Judge Jimmy McClure to exclude evidence that Faulkner checked in to Tri-Lakes Behavioral Health in June and July after the automobile accident.

Hale said McClure’s decision was based on doctor-client privilege and didn’t affect the state’s case.