A 20-year-old Yacolt man on trial for vehicular assault was acquitted Friday by a jury in Clark County Superior Court, according to his defense attorney.
Jonathan L. Marsh was facing the allegation following a 2013 car crash on Northeast Lucia Falls Road in Yacolt, according to court documents. A passenger in his vehicle was seriously injured in the crash.
After deliberating for about five hours, the jury delivered the not guilty verdict late Friday morning. Jurors had begun deliberations Thursday afternoon but were sent home at 6 p.m. when they had not yet reached a decision.
According to a probable cause affidavit, officers responded to a single-vehicle crash shortly before 7 p.m. June 11, 2013, in the 27800 block of Northeast Lucia Falls Road. A 2002 Pontiac Grand Am, driven by Marsh, was traveling west on a downhill grade when it reportedly went out of control on a right-hand curve. The vehicle went off the road and hit a guardrail and tree, court records said.
Marsh and a passenger, Hanna Gainor, were taken via ambulance to Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland with serious injuries, the affidavit said.
Gainor underwent surgery for a broken right collarbone and suffered a brain injury, according to court documents.
Witnesses said it appeared Marsh was traveling between 60 to 70 mph before the crash. The speed limit in that area is 30 mph, court records said. Marsh estimated they were traveling between 50 to 55 mph. He told police he was in a hurry because Gainor had to be home at a certain time and they were running late, the affidavit said.
Marsh also said he believed there was an issue with his vehicle’s computer because at random times three dash lights would come on, court documents stated.
During the trial, Marsh’s defense attorney Renee Alsept, argued that her client was not a reckless driver or a teenager who was trying to show off.
The prosecution argued that Marsh clearly knew he was going well above the speed limit for the area.
Alsept said after the verdict that her client is relieved.
“This has been such a nightmare for this family. It’s been really hard. He’s literally put his life on hold (for this),” Alsept said in a phone interview. “I think the jury did a really good job and took their job seriously.”
Efforts to reach the prosecutor in the case were unsuccessful Friday.
