Los Osos woman charged with vehicular manslaughter in death of Morro Bay pastor
The Los Osos woman who allegedly struck and killed a pastor from Morro Bay while driving under the influence in November is facing up to nine years in state prison after prosecutors filed felony charges on Thursday.
Emily Marie Bales is due in court Wednesday to be arraigned on charges of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence, DUI causing great bodily injury, and leaving the scene of an accident.
Bales, 24, is alleged to have caused the death of Dale Paulsen, who served as pastor of Morro Bay Presbyterian Church for 23 years.
The 67-year-old Los Osos resident had just announced his retirement from the church that morning, Erica King, a church elder, told The Tribune. His last Sunday leading services was to have been Jan. 6, 2019.
Paulsen was walking east on the western shoulder of Ramona Avenue, east of Pine Avenue, according to the CHP, at about 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 18.
Bales was driving a 2015 Toyota Tacoma west on Ramona Avenue when her pickup truck hit Paulsen, and Paulsen was pronounced dead at the scene. Bales initially fled, but was later found and arrested.
She was released from custody Nov. 19 after posting $100,000 bail.
This story was originally published December 28, 2018 at 3:54 PM.
