HAMPTON — The 19-year-old woman who hit four bicyclists with her car at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, killing two, was charged with two counts of negligent homicide Tuesday, as well as two counts of second-degree assault for the other injured bicyclists.

HAMPTON — The 19-year-old woman who hit four bicyclists with her car at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, killing two, was charged with two counts of negligent homicide Tuesday, as well as two counts of second-degree assault for the other injured bicyclists.



Each charge against Darriean Hess, of Seabrook, is a Class B felony that carries a 3�- to seven-year sentence at the state prison, as well as fine up to $4,000, if she is found guilty.



Hess’ bail was set at $50,000 cash.



Hess has never had a driver’s license in New Hampshire, according to Deputy Police Chief Rich Sawyer, and had been pulled over for speeding in the exact spot of the fatal crash less than eight hours earlier at 12:47 a.m., when she was allegedly traveling 59 mph in a 30-mph zone. For that, she was charged with violation-level offenses of operating without a license and speeding. A friend arrived to drive her car away, but Hess illegally drove again just hours later when she caused the fatal crash, police said.



Hess was arrested at about 3 p.m. Tuesday on Lafayette Road in Seabrook. She had been free since she was released from the hospital Saturday morning after the crash occurred on the Neil R. Underwood Bridge going from Hampton to Seabrook. Rockingham County Attorney Jim Reams declined to comment on where she was coming from, whether she had been texting at the time, or whether drugs or alcohol are considered to be factors in the crash.



Reams and Hampton Police Chief Jamie Sullivan held a press conference on the steps of the Hampton police station at 4 p.m. Tuesday after Hess was brought to the station for booking.



Reams did say Hess’ speed at the time was “excessive,” that it “surprised witnesses,” and that she was “inattentive” at the time of the crash. Reams said it was too early to tell whether any additional charges will be filed.



The charges theoretically could be upgraded to vehicular manslaughter, but that would require the state to prove “criminal recklessness,” rather than the lower charge of “criminal negligence,” Reams said.



Sullivan said Hampton officers have been investigating “diligently and thoroughly” since Saturday, and warrants for Hess’ arrest were issued Tuesday. Reams said given the complexity of the case, it’s not uncommon that it should take so long to arrest the suspect.



Witnesses are still being interviewed, Reams said, noting investigators “ended up with a lot more witnesses than you’d imagine” because a large bicycling event involving about 1,500 riders was going on at the time.



Reams said Hess was driving a friend’s vehicle at the time of the crash. He said it’s illegal to knowingly allow an unlicensed person to drive, but there no charges have been brought against the owner of the vehicle, since he doesn’t know the facts surrounding how Hess got those keys.



Reams said Hess was treated like any other unlicensed driver when she was allowed to have a friend drive away her car, since that offense only merits a citation in New Hampshire.



“The Legislature so far has said it’s a violation (to drive without) a driver’s license and it becomes a crime if you drive after your license has been suspended. That’s the cards that we’re dealt and those are the ones we’re playing with today,” Reams said. “The Legislature can take a look at that if they choose.”



Reams said although Hess was driving nearly twice the speed limit when she was first pulled over, that wasn’t enough to have her car towed.



“That wasn’t considered a crime to take her off the road,” he said. “They were both criminal violations, not crimes.”



Sullivan said it was “absolutely typical” to issue a summons in that case and the officer “did exactly what we expect them to do.”



Asked if there was more that could have been done to keep Hess off the road after her first speeding violation, Reams said, “The one thing that could have been done would have been an illegal arrest, and we can’t do that.”



Sullivan added, “The officer at that time had no way of knowing (what would happen in the future), and he took all appropriate actions. We and all our investigators are diligently investigating this, we will continue to do so, we’re taking our time, being methodical and trying to do everything properly.”



Reams characterized the event as a “tragedy.”



“Every one of these kinds of events is a tragedy that always frustrates law enforcement,” he said. “We’re all human beings, so it always frustrates us. ... I guess it’s part of the job.”



Reams said Hess would be held until her arraignment unless she makes bail. Hess is scheduled to be arraigned at the 10th Circuit Court District Division in Seabrook at 11 a.m. today.