Alcohol a factor in Annapolis bike-car crash

WASHINGTON — Anne Arundel County Police Chief Kevin Davis says the driver of a car that struck two bicyclists Saturday in Annapolis had a blood alcohol content of .15 — nearly double the state’s legal limit of .08.

“This crash, the other day, happened because a human being decided to get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle while impaired,” Davis says.

According to police, Todd Green, 27, and Katie Pohler, 23, sustained serious injuries in the accident. Both cyclists were taken by helicopter to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma. Green was released from the hospital on Sunday. Pohler remains in the hospital in stable condition.

Anne Arundel County police Lt. T.J. Smith says Pohler “has a long road to recovery.”

Green visited Pohler last night at the hospital for the first time since the accident.

“I was absolutely shocked when I got to see her,” Green says. “She had her eyes closed when I walked in, but as soon as her father said my name, she opened her eyes and she smiled at me.”

“She’s trying to talk, she’s getting better every day,” Green says.

The driver of the 2011 Nissan, Robin Vera Colbert, was not injured.

An investigation found the crash “appears to be driver error,” and alcohol was involved, according to police. The State’s Attorney’s Office was consulted on the scene and charges are pending.

Colbert was reportedly traveling south on Rt.450 at approximately 2:10 p.m. when she allegedly failed to drive in the single lane, crossed over the right edge line, and entered into the right shoulder, which is designated as the Baltimore & Annapolis Trail. The car traveled an unknown distance in the trail before striking Pohler and Green.

WTOP’s Dick Uliano contributed to this report. Follow @WTOP on Twitter and on the WTOP Facebook page.

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