C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
– E S T. 18 51
– Weekend Edition – VOLUME 175 • ISSUE 27 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2026
Suspected DUI driver charged with murder El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office News release
CHEYANNE WRIGHT
An El Dorado County Grand Jury has indicted a driver accused of causing a fatal DUI collision that killed an 84-yearold woman and injured two children. On March 25, the grand jury returned an indictment against Cheyanne Wright, 35, of Cameron Park, charging her with murder, gross
vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, DUI causing injury and two counts of child endangerment. The case was previously filed by the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office. Wright is scheduled to be arraigned on April 3, in Department 1 of the El Dorado County Superior Court. The charges stem from a collision that occurred on May 3, 2025, at approximately 7:50 a.m. on Green Valley Road
near Silva Valley Parkway in El Dorado Hills. CHP reports indicate that a black Dodge Charger driven by Wright and traveling eastbound at around 55 mph drifted off the edge of Green Valley Road, hit a raised curb, re-entered the roadway, crossed into the opposing lane and struck a silver Toyota Camry traveling westbound. The driver of the Camry, Joan Allison, 84, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Wright’s two children sustained injuries
and were transported along with Wright to UC Davis Medical Center. “This is a devastating and entirely preventable tragedy,” said District Attorney Vern Pierson. “An innocent life was lost, and two children were placed in harm’s way because of a decision to drive under the influence. Our office remains committed to holding impaired drivers accountable and ■ See SUSPECT, page A9
Mountain Democrat photo by Noel Stack
A new Station 49 sign was erected prior to Saturday’s annexation ceremony, announcing the El Dorado County Fire Protection District’s new role as fire and emergency services provider in Diamond Springs.
County fire districts solidify partnership Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
El Dorado County Sheriff Jeff Leikauf held a community meeting to address public safety regarding mountain lions and Senate Bill 1397, which seeks to expand the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s human-mountain lion program.
Mountain lion debate continues Brooks family, legislators support policy changes Shelly Thorene Staff writer
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PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
he heartbreaking recording of the 911 call made by Wyatt Brooks after he and his brother Taylen were attacked by a mountain lion combined with images of four goats killed by a mountain lion served as stark reminders — El Dorado County is mountain lion country. Sheriff Jeff Leikauf shared these powerful media tools, including a photo of Wyatt’s facial lacerations after the attack that
killed his brother in 2024, during a recent community meeting to discuss mountain lion awareness, public safety and proposed state legislation, Senate Bill 1397 Human-Mountain Lion Conflict Program, at the Cameron Park Community Center. Other slides showed data from El Dorado County’s Agricultural Commission regarding depredation permits issued 2010-24, how many lion “takes” occurred and how many domestic animals have been killed. Andrew Nickens, legislative assistant representing District 1 Assemblymember Heather Hadwick; Capitol Director Cheri West, representing District 4 Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil; lobbyist Bill Gaines; Haley Molzahn, executive director and lead researcher for the nonprofit Carnivore Project; and El Dorado County District 4 Supervisor Lori Parlin were present and available to answer questions after the sheriff ’s presentation. Attendees asked about mountain lion encounters or depredations as well as their rights if they encounter a mountain lion on their property. Several people voiced concerns over a number of recent mountain lion sightings near Eastwood Park and Royal Park Court in Cameron Park. A person has the right to defend their livestock, pets and themselves
Noel Stack Editor
Two became one Saturday, March 28, as the Diamond Springs-El Dorado Fire Protection District and the El Dorado County Fire Protection District celebrated the smaller district’s annexation into the EDCFPD. More than 100 people gathered outside Station 49 in Diamond Springs for the sun-filled event, which also included a badge pinning and promotion ceremony. EDCFPD Chief Tim Cordero thanked the crowd for attending and everyone who helped during the years-long annexation process. Remarks from El Dorado County District 3 Supervisor Brian Veerkamp, LAFCO Executive Director Shiva Frentzen, fire board members and fire officials followed, sharing the same sentiment of gratitude and emphasizing the importance of collaboration, enhanced public safety and community support. An invocation was delivered by Lloyd Ogan, executive director and senior chaplain of Sierra Chaplaincy, followed by a ceremonial blessing from John Tayaba with Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Tribal Fire. The ceremony was held days after the El Dorado Local Agency Formation Commission approved the annexation. LAFCO’s action allows ■ See ANNEXATION, page A5
Courtesy photo
Wyatt Brooks, 20, of Mt. Aukum holds a certificate he received after completing fire and safety training through Cal Fire. The young man survived a mountain lion attack two years ago but lost his brother. if a mountain lion is actively stalking them or their animals, Leikauf informed the crowd. If a person dispatches the animal they need to contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Leikauf is allowed to issue a take permit, clarifying that generally a livestock owner must have evidence of two attacks before a permit is issued. According to CDFW, mountain lion attacks on humans are rare. There have been six known fatal attacks since 1890 — two in El Dorado County. A preliminary estimate from the state agency
indicates there are 3,200-4,500 nonkitten mountain lions in California with the highest densities in the coastal forests of Humboldt and Mendocino counties and in the high desert east of the Sierra Nevada. SB 1397, introduced by Alvarado-Gil (R-Jackson), would require CDFW to “maintain, enhance and expand its humanmountain lion conflicts program in order to protect public health and safety including by exercising its authority to authorize nonlethal ■ See LIONS, page A8
Photo by Andrew Nixon / California Department of Water Resources
The California Department of Water Resources’ Jacob Kollen, Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit water resources engineer, right, and Jim Shannon, California Cooperative Snow Surveys Unit manager, look at the paltry sample during the fourth media snow survey at Phillips Station on April 1.
Record hot, dry March wipes out snowpack California Department of Water Resources News release
The Department of Water Resources conducted the critical April snow survey at Phillips Station on April 1 and found no measurable snow, a stark indicator of how record-hot March temperatures and high-elevation rain have erased the Sierra Nevada snowpack months ahead of schedule. The combination of warm storms and unusually hot temperatures rapidly melted what remained of ■ See SURVEY, page A9