DUI suspect withdraws bond hearing

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - A DUI suspect accused of hitting four people with her truck withdrew her bond hearing Monday morning in Virginia Beach Juvenile and Domestic Court.

Before court started, 43-year-old Sandra Hofstadler's attorney said that his client had withdrawn her request for a bond hearing. Hofstadler faces five charges, including her second DUI and assault charges related to three children who were seriously injured during the crash.

For now, Hofstadler will remain in custody. She has the right to request another bond hearing in the future and has a preliminary hearing set for March 2 in General District Court, according to Macie Pridgen with the Virginia Beach Commonwealth's Attorney's Office.

Hofstadler has two separate files right now, one in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court and one in General District Court because some victims are children and one victim is an adult. Pridgen said eventually the charges will likely be merged and heard at the same time.

On Thursday morning on Chester Street in Virginia Beach, police say Hofstadler swerved past a stopped school bus.  Police say Hofstadler then lost control and drove her blue truck into a resident's yard.  At the same moment, Dave Yancy was walking down the driveway with his two young children and a young niece.  10 On Your Side has learned the children are between 5 and 7 years old.

As of Monday, Yancy and his niece are in good condition. However, Yancy's 5-year-old son remains in critical condition. Yancy's daughter was treated and released from the hospital on Thursday.

10 On Your Side has found Hofstadler was charged with a DUI in 2003.  Commonwealth's Attorney, Harvey Bryant, said on Friday that Hofstadler lost her license in 2003 but has since gotten her driving privileges back.

"She's had no DUI type offenses since then, until yesterday," said Bryant.  "So there's been nothing that triggered a suspension of her drivers license."

Hofstadler's mother told 10 On Your Side last week that her daughter has struggled with substance abuse for years.