PORTLAND, Oregon — A speeding driver in a U-Haul truck who hit an SUV last year, killing a couple in Northeast Portland, has been found guilty.
According to the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office, a jury Thursday found 30-year-old Jaylon Jamall Benjamin guilty on all counts, including two counts of second-degree manslaughter, second-degree animal abuse, second-degree criminal mischief and reckless driving.
On Oct. 28, 2023, James and Lisa Johnson were heading west on Northeast Lombard and attempting to turn onto 33rd Avenue when Benjamin hit their SUV while driving a U-Haul pickup truck. Witnesses estimated Benjamin was going at least 80 miles per hour.
The Johnsons died at the scene due to their injuries. James and Lisa Johnson were 64 and 60 years old.
Benjamin claimed that he was only driving 55 mph, but the truck's airbag control module data indicated that he was driving 100 mph just two seconds before the crash, then hit the brakes one second before the crash. At the time of impact, according to the district attorney's office, Benjamin's speed was clocked at 80 mph. The speed limit at Northeast Lombard Street is 45 mph.
The trial ran through Nov. 18-22. Initially, back in August, a plea deal had been reached for Benjamin to get a 10-year prison sentence, which the Johnsons' family objected to. Ultimately, Benjamin elected to not enter the plea, according to the district attorney's office, so the case proceeded to trial.
Benjamin remains in custody pending sentencing, scheduled for Dec. 19.
