A Clarkston woman faces up to 10 years in prison for a vehicular homicide conviction in Asotin County.
59-year-old Tana Jo Chavez was driving a Dodge Ram pickup truck that struck an elderly Clarkston man who was crossing Sixth Street in his motorized scooter on August 29th. The victim, 90-year-old Charles Mingus, died from his injuries the following day.
A blood test following Chavez’s arrest showed alcohol and marijuana in her blood. Authorities say she admitted to drinking more than a pint of vodka before the collision in a marked crosswalk.
Late last week, Judge Scott Gallina found Chavez guilty of vehicular homicide at a “stipulated facts” trial.
The standard sentencing range is 78 to 102 months in prison, but the prosecution is seeking an exceptional sentence of 120 months based on the vulnerability of the victim.
A sentencing date has not been scheduled. Chavez remains in custody of the Asotin County Jail. (Lewiston Tribune)
