The man charged in a fatal hit and run crash is back in Brookings.
Eighteen-year-old Jose Noe Jimenez Hernandez is charged in the
crash that killed 17-year-old John Bennett of rural Brookings.
Hernandez is charged with vehicular homicide, manslaughter in the
first degree, second-degree manslaughter and felony hit and run.
In court Monday afternoon -- Hernandez requested a court appointed
attorney and bond was set at 100-thousand dollars cash.
According to court documents -- Hernandez turned himself in to
police in Austin, Texas. They also say Hernandez admitted he
was the driver and sole occupant of the S-U-V that collided with
Bennett's car.
Court records also say that a witness reported the Hernandez
vehicle traveling east on Sixth Street at a high rate of speed and
honking at pedestrians prior to the collision. Another witness says
the S-U-V did not stop for the red light and collided with Bennett's
car as it was preparing to turn west onto Sixth.
The documents also say that police were told Hernandez had been
drinking alcoholic beverages prior to the crash. Alcoholic beverage
containers were reportedly found in the vehicle and outside the
driver's door on the ground after the collision.
Hernandez was reportedly working on a construction project in the
area. His address is listed as Alta, Iowa.
He's due back in court on Monday.
The most serious charge -- first-degree manslaughter -- carries
a maximum penalty of life in prison.
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