Sand Springs Woman Pleads Guilty In Connection With Death Of Two Bicyclists

By Lacie Lowry, The News On 6

TULSA, OKLAHOMA -- A Sand Springs woman pleaded guilty Monday afternoon to two charges of first-degree manslaughter and a charge of driving under the influence in the death of two bicyclists in 2009.

Tausha Borland entered a "no contest" plea to the charge of leaving the scene of a fatality accident.

Her trial was set to begin Monday in a Tulsa County courtroom.

9/10/2010 Related story: Hearing For Woman Charged With Death Of Two Tulsa Bicyclists Delayed

Borland's plea comes 15 months after the deadly collision. Monday, the friends and family of the victims packed the courtroom to hear her decision.

"I'm just so glad that she's been taken into custody," said Carmody Sloan, Matt Edmonds' girlfriend.

Sloan watched Borland admit in court to killing two cyclists and injuring another.

"Finally justice is starting to be served. She's not on her own, doing whatever she wants every day. She now has to start taking responsibility for what she did," Sloan said. 

What Borland did on June 9, 2009 was swerve into a cycling group on highway 51 near 161st West Avenue. 

The 39-year-old killed Christa Voss of Owasso and Matthew Edmonds of Tulsa, who was Sloan's boyfriend. 

The News On 6 asked Sloan what she lost that day.

"My heart... I miss, I miss him so much," Sloan said.

Borland's SUV also slammed into John Moore. He survived. 

To show support for their friends, the cycling community showed up in big numbers at court. They heard Borland not only admit guilt in the deadly collision, but also that she was under the influence of either drugs or alcohol when she decided to get behind the wheel.

"I feel bad for her. I think that someone that has to resort to whatever she did all day that day, to get through her day, I just can't imagine living a life like that," said Sloan.

The charge of first-degree manslaughter carries a sentence of four years to life and a fine of up to $10,000. The DUI charge carries a penalty of 90 days to 1 year in jail with a fine of up to $2,500. The charge of leaving the scene of a fatality accident carries a sentence of 1 to 10 years in prison with a fine of $1,000 to $10,000.

The Tulsa County District Court judge set October 28, 2010 as the sentencing date.

Following Monday's hearing, Tausha Borland was booked into the Tulsa County jail. She will remain there until her sentencing.