Woman charged with aggravated DUI appears before judge

**UPDATE: More information about the individuals involved, link provided to the 4-year-old’s GoFundMe

BLISS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — A woman appeared before a Gooding County Magistrate Judge on Monday for her arraignment on charges related to a crash in October 2024.

Tonya Brye, 51, is charged with aggravated driving while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any other intoxicating substances, according to court documents.

The documents state that on the night of Oct. 20, Brye was driving westbound on U.S. Highway 30 near milepost 177 when she took a left turn onto River Road.

Brye then struck a 34-year-old female driver of an SUV, according to Idaho State Police. The SUV had two children, an 8-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy, in the backseat, according to court documents.

The crash left the 4-year-old with a traumatic brain injury and a spinal fracture, according to court documents. The child required a ventilator and a prolonged stay in intensive care.

A GoFundMe has been set up for the boy with a goal of $31,000.

The 34-year-old driver suffered a broken wrist and was transported to a hospital by a private vehicle, according to court documents. Brye was also transported by private vehicle to a hospital.

Court documents also reveal that the Idaho State Police Forensic Laboratory reported Brye’s blood alcohol content was more than three times over the legal limit.

Brye pleaded not guilty on Dec. 30 to the charges against her and has posted her bond of $100,000 on the condition that she has no alcohol, according to court documents.

Brye is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on March 6.

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