Old North News

The reduction in the bond for a woman charged in a fatal DWI case in June from its original $500,000 has angered some who think $75,000 is too low given that Amber Whitaker is alleged to have killed an 8-year-old and injured three others.

"I wish I could answer why (it dropped) that low,” Katie Lankford, a half-sister of two of the children who were injured, said in a WFMY News 2 report Sunday. “I have still yet to put that together. Why such a drastic change? I don’t know. Less than $100,000 that's a little ridiculous.”

Police reports indicate that Whitaker failed to stop at a stop sign a North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) worker was holding in a work zone.

According to a WFMY, Whitaker reportedly told officers she had taken 200 milligrams of methadone prior to crashing her car which resulted in the death of an 8-year-old child. The crash also caused injuries to three other children. Police found Xanax Whitaker’s car.

At first, Whitaker’s bond was set at $500, but that was increased to $500,000 when more serious charges — including felony death by vehicle and felony serious injury — were filed, according to WFMY. However, Whitaker’s bond was recently reduced to $75,000.

Her defense attorney said the bond reduction was based on Whitaker’s record, charges, and status, according to comments made by the Davidson County district attorney.

Lankford said her 4-year-old half-sister Gracie is still in the hospital where she relies on a ventilator.

"Between July and now she’s had two transports and they’re about to do a third one,” Lankford said. “(She) should be transferred to another hospital that’s an hour and a half away. She was transported by ambulance to have (a) pacemaker put on and then she was transferred back to Winston. Then she will be transferred back to the other hospital for her rehabilitation. So that’s a lot for a 3-year-old trauma patient."

The Lankford family is still dealing with this life-changing crash.

"Some would call our justice system a joke but (Whitaker's) bond isn't the trial so hopefully by trial, we will know what more we'll have to provide to get the right justice,” Lankford said. “From now on we can only pray and do what we can."