Suspect worked for state, drove on revoked license
by Jim Walsh - Apr. 17, 2008 11:17 AM
The Arizona Republic
The state Department of Administration is investigating why a woman accused of hit-and-run in a collision with a 3-year-old Mesa boy on a tricycle was allowed to drive to work at the Capitol, even though it was "well-known" her driver's license was revoked.
"We're going to investigate who knew and why nothing was done about it," said Alan Ecker, a department spokesman. "There is definitely some negligence on the part of some folks who didn't report her for driving without a license."
Heather Mariah-Grace Funk, 28, is scheduled to make a court appearance Friday on potential charges of aggravated assault, leaving the scene of an accident causing death or injury and driving with a suspended or revoked driver's license.
A 3-year-old boy was riding on a sidewalk in the XXXX block of East XXXXXXX Street on Saturday when he was struck by a red Chevrolet pickup driven by Funk as he crossed a driveway, according to Mesa police.
The boy sustained head injuries, but police say he is expected to survive. The boy's father chased the pickup and banged on the windows, but the driver fled, according to court documents. Police later arrested Funk at Alma School Road and Devonshire Street.
Detective Chris Arvayo, a police spokesman, said an examination of Funk by specially trained officers found evidence that she had been using methamphetamine. Chemical tests are pending to confirm the drug use by Funk, who has a history of drug arrests and spent time in prison.
"There definitely was a lot of road rash to his skull," Arvayo said of the boy, but an initial CAT scan showed no fractures. The boy will be closely monitored to check for any long-term brain damage.
Ecker said the state hired Funk as a maintenance worker in January 2007 a few weeks after her release from prison. She first started working for the state as part of an Arizona Department of Corrections work crew. Funk served three years in prison for aggravated driving under the influence. She had a previous conviction for theft of a means of transportation.
In a 2004 letter to Judge John Gaylord from the Perryville State Prison, Funk noted that she had three drug charges filed against her and was not eligible for probation.
"Your honor I am doing a lot in this place and I am addressing my drug problem," Funk wrote. "I feel I should be given the opportunity to do parole."
But Ecker said Funk was fired Monday after her arrest. She had worked on maintaining state buildings surrounding the Capitol. Ecker said "it's not unprecedented" for former prisoners to be hired for such duties.
