Oakridge man sentenced to nearly 19 years for manslaughter, DUII in triple fatality
An Oakridge man was sentenced to more than 18 years in prison for his role in a triple fatality car crash in May 2021 on Highway 58.
James Cam Johnson changed his plea to guilty Sept. 15 after being charged with DUII, second-degree criminal mischief, third-degree assault, two counts of fourth-degree assault, and three counts of manslaughter.
Johnson, driving a Ford Taurus, was westbound on Highway 58 near Black Canyon campground when he attempted to pass in a no-passing zone and side-swiped a westbound Chrysler Town & Country, driven by a 63-year-old Oakridge man, according to Oregon State Police.
The Taurus then crashed head-on into an eastbound Mazda 3, driven by Jagadish Chandrasekaren, 31, of Washington state. Chandrasekaren and passengers Adharsh Murali, 25, and Jignesh Modi, 27, were killed in the crash. Another passenger was transported by helicopter to a hospital with serious injuries.
Johnson's blood alcohol content was 0.18% at the time of the incident, according to state police. Johnson was also taken to the hospital for serious injuries. He was arrested and lodged in Lane County Jail on Dec. 17.
Johnson was sentenced to 18 years and nine months in prison, and three years of post-parole supervision. He will become eligible for release in 2040.
Families of the deceased Mazda occupants virtually attended the sentencing from India and provided statements to the court, OSP said.
Louis Krauss covers breaking news for The Register-Guard. Contact him at lkrauss@registerguard.com, and follow him on Twitter @LouisKraussNews.
This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Oakridge man sentenced to nearly 19 years for triple fatality crash
