1/3/12
by Perry Miller
Eighteen-year-old Jose Jimenez Hernandez pleads guilty to vehicular homicide
and felony hit and run. The plea came this afternoon as part of a plea deal. In
return, charges of first-degree manslaughter, and reckless driving were
dismissed.
Hernandez admitted driving the S-U-V that ran a red light and collided with a car
driven by 17-year-old John Bennett of rural Brookings. Bennett was killed in the
September 3rd crash. Hernandez also admitted he had been drinking.
States Attorney Clyde Calhoon says a witness reported the Hernandez vehicle
traveling east on Sixth Street at 45 to 50 miles an hour prior to the collision. He
fled the scene and later turned himself in to authorities in Austin, Texas.
Hernandez is facing a maximum of 17-years in prison when he'ssentenced on
February 14th. He'll be held without bond until then.
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