2-Year Term for Texting Driver in Fatal Oregon Crash

January 13, 2012

A La Pine, Ore. driver was sentenced Wednesday to more than two years in prison for a fatal crash near Bend that occurred while he was texting his girlfriend who was sitting next to him.

Deschutes County Circuit Judge Alta Brady told 29-year-old Erik Conn it was as if he were driving blindfolded last June when he drove into a 16-year-old riding a bike. Forrest Cepeda was crushed into a rock wall and died.

Conn pleaded guilty to criminal negligent homicide in a plea deal to avoid a manslaughter charge.

KTVZ reported Conn apologized in court to Cepeda’s family. Cepeda’s family complained the sentence was too lenient for someone who was texting the person right next to him before the crash.

Topics Personal Auto

Was this article valuable?

Here are more articles you may enjoy.

Latest Comments

  • January 17, 2012 at 1:41 pm
    Chris Garcia says:
    This guys lucky he doesn't live in Texas cause he would probably get at least 25 years.
  • January 14, 2012 at 4:40 pm
    nobull says:
    Two years, and then this worthless s__t is out on the street (and road)and where is the 16 year old. The LAWS need to be toughened. Distractive or a-hole behavior causing a fa... read more
  • January 13, 2012 at 2:20 pm
    DS says:
    2 years is not enough. Texting your girlfriend sitting next to you? Ridiculous and the result is tragic.

Add a CommentSee All Comments (4)Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

More News
More News Features