The Sheriff's Department is recommending that a Vietnam War veteran with a history of mental problems be charged with reckless driving causing great bodily injury in connection with a crash six weeks ago on state Route 67 in Poway.
Poway sheriff's traffic Deputy Robert Gibson said toxicology tests show that Ronald Boord, 60, of Ramona was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol when he drove his pickup head-on into a Hummer driven by a Warner Springs woman.
The lack of skid marks or other evidence leaves only two possible reasons for the accident, Gibson said: Boord fell asleep at the wheel or deliberately crossed into oncoming traffic.
Six years ago, Boord begged a SWAT officer to kill him during a three-hour standoff in Encinitas during which Boord held a gun to his own head.
Gibson said Boord refused to answer questions when he, accompanied by a lawyer, was interviewed recently.
Boord's attorney, Thomas E. Wenbourne, declined to comment yesterday.
Gibson said the department is recommending the charge to the San Diego City Attorney's Office, which handles misdemeanor criminal matters for Poway under contract with the city. The charge carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a fine not to exceed $1,000.
A spokeswoman for San Diego City Attorney Michael Aguirre said the office has not yet received the paperwork.
Boord was seriously injured in the crash and is in a wheelchair, but he is out of the hospital, Gibson said.
“There is no possible way the collision could have occurred unless he was unconscious, was under the influence or he did it deliberately,” Gibson said. “There were no skids, there was nothing.”
The crash happened about 10:15 a.m. May 9 on Route 67 about a half-mile north of Chaparral Way.
The driver of the Hummer, Kris Coxsey, 60, said Boord's Toyota Tacoma pickup appeared to head straight toward her and that she barely had time to think about what was happening.
Coxsey suffered a compressed disk in her back and has been in a brace ever since.
“But I am getting better,” she said.
Coxsey said she supports the Sheriff's Department's recommendation.
“I think he shouldn't be allowed to continue driving,” she said. “I will support them through the process.”
Gibson also has notified the Department of Motor Vehicles about his findings and a “priority re-examination” of Boord has been ordered to determine if he should continue to be licensed to drive.
J. Harry Jones: (760) 737-7579; jharry.jones@uniontrib.com
