Schoolteacher Given Probation, $2,000 Fine in New Year’s Day DUI Fatality

Dana Lohner of La Mesa will pay a fine of $2,034 and serve five years’ probation in her drunken driving case that left a San Diego man dead on New Year’s Day, authorities say.

Lohner, a teacher at Freese Elementary Arts and Culture Magnet School in San Diego’s Skyline area, pleaded guilty July 5 to one DUI count—having more than 0.08 percent alcohol in her system, according to Tanya Sierra, a spokeswoman for the District Attorney’s Office.

Besides the fine and probation, Lohner was ordered to enroll in the First Conviction Program for 90 days and take classes from Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Sierra said Monday.

On Jan. 1, Lohner was briefly detained at La Colinas women’s jail in Santee on DUI charges after she struck and killed Kelly Condel McPherson, 53, at Severin and Murray Drives west of Grossmont High School.

Lohner, 48 at the time, was driving a silver Mustang an hour into the new year. But vehicular manslaughter charges were not pressed after an investigation.

Although spared manslaughter charges—and a possible 10-year prison sentence—Lohner could still face a wrongful death claim in civil court. But online court records show no civil suit pending against her.