Vehicular homicide charge dismissed in deadly 2018 wreck in northern Franklin County

Charges stemming from a fatal Franklin County crash have been dismissed nearly six years and one mistrial later.

Prosecutors said they can’t prove Larry C. Pence, Jr., 47, was driving recklessly prior to a May 2018 crash that killed John Chacon Orozco Sr., 57, of Othello.

Deputy Prosecutor Brooke Amster said in the motion to dismiss the vehicular homicide charge that prosecution experts worked to determine the speeds and other factors around the crash.

“The facts the state learned from the experts ultimately led to a decision that the state would not be able to prove all the elements of the charged crimes beyond a reasonable doubt,” she said.

In addition, prosecutors didn’t want to put Chacon Orozco’s family though a second trial.

The charges were dismissed without prejudice, meaning they could be filed again if new information becomes available.

The decision came after a five-day trial in 2023 ended with 11 jurors voting to acquit, Pence’s defense attorney told the Tri-City Herald.

Pence and Chacon Orozco were both riding motorcycles on May 11, 2018 when they collided about 12:45 a.m. on Glade North Road near Eltopia.

The two collided at the intersection, throwing both men from their bikes. Chacon Orozco died at the scene and Pence was taken to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland.

While investigators believed Pence was speeding before the crash, Pence has denied the accusation.