Woman So "Dazed" She Drank Nail Polish Before Fatally Hitting 18-Year-Old With Car Pleads Not Guilty to Manslaughter

Laura Flanders says she's not guilty of manslaughter in the October death of 18-year-old Joey Romero

​Remember the woman who, a few weeks ago, told police she was so "dazed" before running down an 18-year-old with her car that she drank nail polish without even realizing it? Well, she says she's innocent.

Laura Flanders, 23, of Peoria, was in Maricopa County Superior Court this morning, when she pleaded not guilty to manslaughter in the October death of 18-year-old Joey Romero.

Flanders was arrested earlier this month for running over Romero as he walked home from work.


Flanders had been in the department's cross hairs since the day after the incident, October 30, when police say tips from people in the community led them to her door.

Officers impounded Flanders' silver 2002 Chevy Trailblazer, which is believed to be the car that hit Romero.

According to court documents obtained by New Times, it seems Flanders was a bit of a train wreck when she hit Flanders -- apparently, she was hopped up on pharmies. At the time of the incident, Flanders was on an unspecified prescription medication that came with specific instructions to not drive.

According to the court docs, "Laura was not coherent to her actions by her complete disregard to proper medications and not to drive while under the medications."

Flanders says she didn't even know where she was when she drove 42 mph onto the sidewalk, hitting Romero. She told police she knew she hit something, but thought it was a pole or a bush -- so she drove off.

Prior to hitting Romero, Flanders was so out of it that she drank nail polish without realizing what it was. She then spit it out onto her friend's floor.  

Following her arrest, Flanders told police, "I was too dazed. I probably should not have been driving."

Her next court appearance is scheduled for January 13.