DeQueen man sentenced to 180 days in Columbia County jail for 2016 negligent homicide

After nearly 20 months in the judicial system, a May 2016 negligent homicide case involving a DeQueen driver and the death of a Magnolia man was finally resolved Thursday in Columbia County Circuit Court. The case was set to go to a jury trial next week but, after final evaluations, Rudolfo Hernandez, 22 at the time of his arrest, signed a last-minute plea deal with state prosecutors in which he confessed to multiple crimes. For his admission of guilt, Hernandez was sentenced to 180 days jail time in the Columbia County Detention Center and six years probation.

In total, the defendant pleaded guilty to four counts. Count one – failing to stop after an accident with injury or death – carried the probation sentence, while the remaining counts – possession of marijuana, obstructing government operations, and negligent homicide – carried the incarceration term.

On May 24, 2016, Hernandez was driving along Columbia County Road 36 (Old El Dorado Highway) near the former Lake Sue Nursery location when struck 89-year-old Zane M. Barnett’s vehicle. The collision sent the Magnolia man into critical condition, eventually resulting in his death.

With the victim’s family looking on, the defendant and his attorney, David Price of Magnolia, stood before Judge David Talley on Thursday to submit the guilty plea. During the proceeding, Chief Deputy Prosecutor Jeffrey Rogers described the details of the May 24 incident as evidence against Hernandez. The state attorney informed the court that the defendant, while traveling east along Columbia County Road 36 in a GMC pick-up truck, struck Barnett’s vehicle – a much smaller Kia Soul – as it made a left-hand turn.

“Mr. Hernandez, in a straight away, slammed into the rear of Mr. Barnett’s car as he was turning,” said Rogers. “Mr. Hernandez was passing on a double-yellow line and not otherwise observing the rules of the road.”

After striking Barnett’s vehicle, Hernandez also accelerated away from the scene. Former Magnolia Police Department Sgt. Colton Burks happened to be in the trailing vehicle and witnessed the incident. He instituted a traffic stop a short distance from the scene of the crash.

“Fortunately for the family, for law enforcement, and for this court, Colton Burks was the next vehicle in line,” said Rogers.

Once pulled over, Hernandez was arrested and found to be in possession of a small amount of marijuana, a marijuana pipe, and a marijuana grinder as the contraband was in clear view on the truck’s floorboard. After a 10-day battle with severe injuries, Barnett passed away.

“There was a substantial likelihood of guilt if this matter were to go to trial,” said Price.

After the plea, Hernandez was immediately taken into custody. He will technically serve only 177 days in the Columbia County Detention Center, having spent three days in jail before making bail.

“We have met [with the victim’s family] a number of times,” said Rogers. “This is a disposition that is in their best interests and the best interests of justice.”

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