On December 10th a jury found Justin Breazele, 23, of Casper guilty of aggravated vehicular homicide in the death of a 72-year-old woman after less than two hours of deliberation. The 23-year-old was charged with vehicular homicide after he passed out behind the wheel of a truck and slammed into a passing station wagon driven by a 72-year-old woman last March. He was allegedly ‘huffing’ computer duster prior to the fatal collision.
An accident expert with the Casper Police Department testified that Breazeale’s vehicle crossed three lanes of traffic before striking the victim’s car, which was either stopped or barely moving. Evidence indicated that Breazeale was traveling around 33 mph and failed to utilize his brakes.Investigators recovered two cans of computer duster from Breazeale’s vehicle after the accident- one of which had been used. Breazeale told police he had bought the duster in an attempt to clean up a pile of cigarette ashes that had spilled onto the floor. However, authorities were unable to locate any trace of ash inside the vehicle.
In court Breazeale admitted to not remembering the fatal crash, denying claims that he had been huffing computer duster. He also told jurors a pre-existing medical condition was to blame for his blacking out behind the wheel; identified as epilepsy.
However, “Breazeale's ex-girlfriend who was riding in the truck when the accident occurred testified Breazeale had huffed duster in the minutes leading up to the crash and was passed out when he struck the victim’s vehicle.”
Breazeale is expected to be sentenced within the next two months and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years behind bars.
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