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Woman Charged In Bullock Crash Appears In Court

Actress, Husband Struck In Gloucester

POSTED: 5:35 am EDT April 22, 2008
UPDATED: 5:20 pm EDT April 22, 2008

A Gloucester woman pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a drunken driving charge in connection with a crash that involved actress Sandra Bullock and her husband Jesse James.

Police said Lucile Gatchell, 64, struck the pair's chauffer-driven sport utility vehicle in a head-on crash on East Main Street in Gloucester on Friday. No one was injured in the crash.

VIDEO: Woman Accused Of Smashing Into Bullock Arraigned

She faces one charge of operating while under the influence of alcohol and a charge of crossing a marked lane. According to the police report, Gatchell's blood alcohol level was two and a half times the legal limit.

Gatchell and her daughter left court after the arraignment.

"She just wants to express her relief that no one was injured in the accident. She also wants to express her gratitude to Miss Bullock and Mr. James, from what she understands, was their concern about her own well-being at the time of the accident," Gatchell's attorney, Benjamin Richard, said.

"My heart goes out to her because she is going to be all over the news for one mistake she made in her 64 years," resident Peter Curtis said.

"Things happen and people do learn from their lessons, and I am sure that she is sorry and feels a little humiliated that it happened to be Sandra Bullock and Jesse James in the car," resident Elizabeth McDougall said.

Judge Joseph Jennings released Gatchell on personal recognizance on the conditions that she remain alcohol free and that she not drive unless properly licensed. The judge ordered Gatchell to return to court on June 6 for a pre-trial hearing.

Bullock is shooting the movie "The Proposal" in Rockport. The film also stars Ryan Reynolds, Mary Steenburgen and Craig T. Nelson.


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