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Two seriously injured in west strip head-on

By Amber Peabody


This document was published online on Monday, July 21, 2008

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Police say a suspected impaired driver caused a head-on collision Saturday night that sent both drivers to Billings hospitals.

Penny Gandall, 47, of Cody was westbound on Yellowstone Avenue when she swerved her white Mitsubishi vehicle into the oncoming lane of traffic and struck Anthony McConnell's white Chevrolet Lumina head-on, according to assistant police chief George Menig.

He said Gandall had twice struck the rear of another westbound vehicle shortly before moving to pass that car and then swerving into the vehicle McConnell, 28, was driving eastbound. He was returning home from shopping at Wal-Mart when the accident happened at 9:10 p.m. Saturday near Bubba's restaurant.

“He's lucky to be alive,” his sister Jennifer Gould said Monday.

Both drivers were taken to West Park Hospital and later flown to Billings by air ambulance. McConnell was listed in serious condition Monday at the Billings Clinic intensive care unit.

McConnell, a Cody native, graduate of Northwest College and a reporter at the Enterprise, sustained a crushed femur and underwent surgery to have a metal rod placed in his leg, his mother Cindy McConnell said. He also has a cracked hip, had three screws placed in his ankle and is currently on a ventilator due to a bruised chest.

“He has a long road ahead,” she added.

Gandall was admitted to St. Vincent Healthcare and is listed in fair condition. It has not been confirmed that she was under the influence and the case remains under investigation, Menig said. Other details about the accident were not available Monday.

If charged and convicted, he said this would be her second DWUI in five months. She was convicted in May for DWUI to a degree which renders the driver incapable of safely driving (prescription drugs), driving with a suspended license and no insurance after she was stopped March 16.

According to the affidavit of probable cause in that case, Gandall was southbound on WYO 120 in an SUV and almost struck three vehicles. Carisoprodol, hydrocodone, Tylenol with codeine, diazepan and oxycodone were found in a prescription pill bottle in the vehicle.
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Reader Comments

Teresa wrote on Jul 25, 2008 10:58 AM:

" Lets not forget about the other vehicle in this incident. It happened to be my dad..thankfully he was not injured as well but I have been told she has no insurance, she has put alot of people him horrible physical and financial situations. she needs to sit in jail and thank God she did not kill anybody "

buffaloman wrote on Jul 24, 2008 5:03 PM:

" Mary, you make it sound as if Gandall
was able to make a rational decision to get in her vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, Carisoprodol, hydrocodone, Tylenol with codeine, diazepan and oxycodone? She needs to be removed from society, and other's to make decisions for her while sitting behind bars and getting treatment. "

codynative wrote on Jul 23, 2008 4:25 PM:

" To Slumbergal- This lady's driving record and apparent abuse are infact a result of making poor choices. It does not mean she's not an addict, but the choices ARE hers to make. Therefore, punishment needs to be serious. Maybe while spending time serving punishment will also give her the time to get the help she needs and isn't able or willing to get on her own. Innocent people that "get in the way" of someone involved with drunk or careless driving should not have to pay this kind of price for the rest of their life. "

slumbergal wrote on Jul 23, 2008 8:20 AM:

" To Mary,
Two DUI's in five months does not have anything to do with "bad choices" or being imprefect.. It has to do with the fact, she is an addict and needs to be taken off the streets and into a rehab program. I believe in prayer. But let's face it, God would want us as a society to remove the problem, by getting her into a facility that can remove the demons of addiction....She will be forgiven by God Himself and Anthony and his family... "

Mary wrote on Jul 22, 2008 10:09 PM:

" Sometimes people may make bad choices! Nobody is perfect! Best thing for us to do is pray for Tony and Penny for their road back to recovery. "

cathy morris wrote on Jul 22, 2008 2:31 PM:

" I saw the firefighters cutting Anthony out of his car. The court needs to throw the book at this woman. I feel so bad for Anothy. A person like Gandall doesnt need a drivers license especially if this isnt the first incedite like this. Our prayers are with Anothy and his family. "

Alec and Nicole Houze wrote on Jul 22, 2008 8:22 AM:

" Wishing Anthony a speedy recovery "

slumbergal wrote on Jul 22, 2008 7:55 AM:

" "According to the affidavit of probable cause in that case, Gandall was southbound on WYO 120 in an SUV and almost struck three vehicles. Carisoprodol, hydrocodone, Tylenol with codeine, diazepan and oxycodone were found in a prescription pill bottle in the vehicle."
ENUF SAID...GET THIS WOMAN SOME HELP (INTO REHAB),TAKE THE KEYS AWAY AND OFF THE STREETS! "

Scott in Cody wrote on Jul 21, 2008 11:54 PM:

" I was in high school with Anthony. Thoughts and prayers for him and his family. "

bob wrote on Jul 21, 2008 10:12 PM:

" anthony is slowlygetting better, breathing tube should come out tues am, then start therapy. hopwfily he will get to come home twards theend of the week, "

codynative wrote on Jul 21, 2008 9:41 PM:

" Ok, I'm thinking----take her drivers license away,,,, period! No one should have to be put at that kind of risk on the road because of ONE person who Does NOT know how to make good choices. "

Nancy wrote on Jul 21, 2008 7:12 PM:

" Jennifer’s friends and STP family have her brother and family in their prayers. Hopefully this will be the last family that Gandall puts through this pain! "

 

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