The Coupeville woman who has been faulted in the fatal crash of a beloved community volunteer from Greenbank has a prior conviction for driving under the influence, according to Island County officials.

Randi Shelton has been charged with vehicular homicide in connection with a collision that killed Karen Gervais-Boone of Greenbank last month.

Island County prosecutors charged Shelton in Island County Superior Court Feb. 5, and she will be arraigned in court Monday, March 5.

According to charging papers, Shelton’s blood alcohol content was measured at Whidbey General Hospital after the crash at three times the legal limit, or 0.30.

Three cars were involved in the collision that killed Gervais-Boone, 47, a well-known advocate for schools and community projects. Shelton, 35, suffered extensive injuries in the crash, including an ankle fracture and internal injuries. The driver of the third car, Dale Studeman, 50, was not injured.

If convicted, Shelton could face a maximum penalty of from four years and seven months to five years and five months in prison, as well as a fine up to $50,000. The possible sentence includes a two-year sentence enhancement for a prior DUI conviction.

The accident, which occurred at 6:45 p.m. Jan. 22 at Milepost 20 on Highway 525, just north of Freeland, was investigated by Washington State Patrol Det. Jeffrey Rhue.

Rhue wrote in his report that Shelton was driving a 2004 Dodge Durango southbound on Highway 525. At the same time Dale Studeman was driving northbound in a 1989 Dodge van; driving behind him was Gervais-Boone in a 2005 Toyota Sienna.

Police say Shelton crossed the centerline and sideswiped Studeman’s vehicle; Shelton then collided head-on with the vehicle driven by Gervais-Boone.

Gervais-Boone died at the scene. Shelton was transported to Whidbey General Hospital with a broken leg and was eventually airlifted to Haborview Medical Center in Seattle.

According to the probable cause statement, the trooper at the scene of the crash reported that he “smelled the obvious odor of intoxicants on Shelton’s breath. Her eyes were watery and bloodshot and her speech was slurred.”

Shelton told the trooper she had had two drinks, but the trooper saw a bottle of Smirnoff vodka and Kahlua liquor in Shelton’s car.

A blood sample from Shelton was submitted to the Washington State Toxicology Lab; results of the test are pending.

Gervais-Boone lived in Greenbank with her husband Dr. John Boone and their two children.