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PUBLIC SAFETY Man who killed passenger while driving on LSD in Ashland sentenced to prison Comment By Nick Morgan For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Nick Morgan For the Tidings Posted Apr. 7, 2016 at 6:35 PM By Nick Morgan For the Tidings Posted Apr. 7, 2016 at 6:35 PM » Social News A Washington man was sentenced to more than 6½ years in prison after admitting to being high on LSD and driving erratically just prior to an Ashland crash that killed his friend. Brandon Bradley Morlock, 21, of Bainbridge Island, Wash., pleaded guilty Thursday in Jackson County Circuit Court to a charge of criminally negligent homicide for driving a Ford Econoline E-150 van in Ashland at speeds roughly triple the posted limits while under the influence of hallucinogens early the morning of Feb. 22. The crash killed 18-year-old Ryan Bowker of Port Orchard, Wash. "This is 100 percent my fault," Morlock said in court. "It haunts me every day." Tianna Hull, who was riding in the front seat of the van, told investigators she saw the speedometer reach 90 miles per hour just prior to the 1:18 a.m. crash, according to a release from the Jackson County District Attorney's office. While driving erratically and at high speed, the van struck a pole on the side of Siskiyou Boulevard near Walker Avenue. The area has a posted speed limit of 30. Once the van struck the pole, the vehicle spun out of control. Bowker, who was lying on a bed in the rear of the van and not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the van as it spun. He was pronounced dead at the scene. According to the release, Morlock had just taken over driving the vehicle following a roadside break. The three were traveling north from San Francisco toward Washington. Hull had been driving the van, but stopped at Morlock's request at about 1 a.m. at a dirt turnout near Exit 11. The three got out of the van for about 10 minutes. Morlock wanted to drive, but, Hull, knowing that he had taken LSD in San Francisco several hours earlier, refused to give him the keys, prosecutors reported. Hull told investigators Morlock began acting "normal" during the stop, but that she never gave him the keys. During their discussion over who should drive, the keys ended up on the ground and Morlock picked them up, the news release said. He climbed into the driver's seat and told Bowker and Hull to get in the van. Unfamiliar with the area and unwilling to be left on the side of the road, Hull and Bowker got in, the release said. Morlock admitted to investigators that he had taken LSD and that he was under the influence of the drug at the time of the crash. Morlock told investigators that he was on a "bad trip" and didn't believe he was really driving, according to the release. Morlock pleaded guilty to a felony charge of criminally negligent homicide and a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence of intoxicants. He was sentenced to 80 months in prison and 3 years post-prison supervision. He was ordered to pay restitution estimated at $4,287 and his driver's license was permanently revoked. He originally faced a charge of manslaughter, but Chief Deputy District Attorney Jeremy Markiewicz said Bowker's family agreed to the lesser charge. Bowker's family did not appear in court, but his parents submitted a letter for Markiewicz to read. "We don't feel the public would be best served by Brandon sitting in a cage," the letter said. "We think the best outcome for the public would be for him to have access to treatment and education, so he can have a chance at contributing to society and being productive when he gets out. We'll pray that he finds forgiveness and grace with God." Bowker's parents said in the letter that their faith asks them to forgive Morlock, but said forgiveness will be a lifelong struggle. They asked that Morlock and his family never contact them again. Reach reporter Nick Morgan at 541-776-4471 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @MTCrimeBeat . By Nick Morgan For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Nick Morgan For the Tidings Posted Apr. 7, 2016 at 6:35 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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