Austyn Wayne Hillsman
Austyn Wayne Hillsman, the driver arrested in connection with the May 23 fatal crash that killed two Sweet Home teens on Highway 228, east of Brownsville, was indicted on May 26 on six charges, including manslaughter, in Linn County Circuit Court.
Hillsman faces charges of first-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault, driving under the influence, reckless driving and refusal to take a breath test.
Hillsman, who was not injured in the crash, remained in Linn County Jail Monday, June 1, on $500,000 bail.
He is scheduled to appear next in Linn County Circuit Court for a status hearing at 8:30 a.m. on Momday. June 8.
Ricky Dale Becknal
Ricky Dale Becknal pleaded no contest May 6 in Linn County Circuit Court to fourth-degree assault and attempted first-degree burglary and was sentenced to five months in jail.
He was sentenced to 36 months probation. He had been arrested for the burglary and assault on Dec. 8 in Sweet Home.
Rochelle Arquette Zamacona
Rochelle Arquette Zamacona pleaded no contest April 23 in Linn County Circuit Court to unauthorized use of a vehicle and was sentenced to 20 months in prison.
She received credit for time served since Nov. 12, 2019. She was also sentenced to one year post-prison supervision.
Dismissed were charges of attempting to elude a police officer, reckless driving and recklessly endangering another person.
On Nov. 12, Sweet Home police responded to a report of a black truck “doing cookies” at the football field and then driving on the wrong side of the road. They later received a report that Zamacona was driving a stolen vehicle.
An officer initiated a traffic stop on a black pickup near 8th Avenue and Oak Terrace, Cummings said.
The vehicle continued at about 30 mph to Sweet Home High School, 1641 Long St., where it entered the parking lot in front of the main entrance; and police recovered the pickup, which had been reported stolen, and took Zamacona into custody.