SAN DIEGO -- A woman with a history of driving while intoxicated must stand trial in the death of a woman struck while walking along a Poway road, a judge ruled Wednesday.

Becky Marie Anderson, 45, who prosecutors allege has two DUI convictions from Minnesota in 1998 and 1999, faces 15 years to life in prison if convicted of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.

Anderson is charged in the Nov. 23 death of 36-year-old Kristen Ann Bedard, a single mother of two who was walking to work at Target when she was struck and killed near Community Road and Aubrey Street about 7 a.m.

Anderson was driving alone, south on Community Road, when she allegedly swerved into a bicycle lane south of Aubrey Street about 7 a.m., killing Bedard.

Sheriff's Deputy Kevin Carter testified during a three-hour preliminary hearing that the Toyota Solara that Anderson was driving ran up on the sidewalk 14 feet south of the intersection, struck Bedard and continued on a "path of destruction" for more than 100 yards before coming to rest.

The victim's body was discovered more than 40 feet from the corner near a power box, the deputy testified.

Carter said Anderson told him that she had taken at least three Valium pills the night before and had taken a 200 milligram dose of Methadone at a clinic that morning. Methadone is commonly used to help people overcome addictions to opiates.

Anderson said she reached down to move a piece of paper rattling in the car and lost control of her car, the deputy testified.

Carter said he asked the defendant if she was still feeling the effects of the drugs at the time of the accident.

"She said, `I'm not going to lie to you. I still feel the effects. I probably shouldn't have been driving. What's going to happen to me?"' Carter testified.

Dr. Ian McIntyre, a forensic toxicologist at the county Medical Examiner's Office, testified that depressants were found during a screening of Anderson's blood.

A friend of Anderson's Bonnie Benjamin, testified that Anderson gave her a ride to the Escondido Methadone clinic before the accident.

The witness said Anderson was "distracted" while driving, trying to light a cigarette and use the radio.

After she was dropped off at home, Benjamin said she offered to give Anderson some driving lessons because she seemed inexperienced.

Sheriff's Detective Warren Voth said he spoke to Anderson at the crash scene and determined that she was under the influence of a central nervous system depressant.

Deputy District Attorney Ted Minahan asked the detective if the defendant was able to safely operate a motor vehicle.

"My opinion, was, no, she was not safe to drive," Voth testified.

Defense attorney Zaki Zehawi unsuccessfully argued that the charge against his client did not amount to gross negligence. Judge Robert F. O'Neill ruled that was a matter for the jury to decide at trial.

Anderson will be back in court March 2 for arraignment in Superior Court and to get a trial date.