April 27, 2004

WHEN A CARPOOL RIDE TURNS DEADLY, IS A FLORIDA MOTHER GUILTY OF VEHICULAR HOMICIDE? -- "48 HOURS INVESTIGATES," WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28

On Aug. 7, 2000, Mary Hill was driving three neighborhood teenagers, including her daughter, Amy, home from school. But, less than two miles from their home in an Orlando, Fla. suburb, the car crashed into a tree, claiming the lives of Amy?and?her best friend,?Carrie?Brown. The third teen,?Zak Rockwell,?suffered brain injuries. Hill claims she lost control of her BMW because it sped up on its own, but investigators say Hill was driving recklessly. Correspondent Peter Van Sant reports for 48 HOURS INVESTIGATES: "Driven to Extremes," to be broadcast Wednesday, April 28 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

A witness says he saw Hill driving erratically prior to the crash. After an eight-month investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol, Hill was charged with vehicular homicide and manslaughter. Hill's attorneys say it wasn't her recklessness that caused the crash, but rather a fault in the car's cruise control system that caused the car to speed up on its own.

Before the crash, Hill and husband Dennis seemed to have it all. They owned a successful market research business and had two beautiful daughters, Amy and Kaitlin. Before the case goes to trial, Hill's marriage begins to fall apart and she files for divorce, however, Dennis still supports his wife and believes she will be found innocent of all charges. If Mary is found guilty, she could receive up to 30 years in prison.

48 HOURS INVESTIGATES: "Driven to Extremes" is produced by Mary Noonan, Clare Friedland and Lourdes Aguiar. Anthony Batson is the senior producer and Susan Zirinsky is the executive producer.

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Press Contact: Marcy Erhard 212-975-2888 erhardm@cbsnews.com