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55 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, April 14, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend March 17, 2004 Driver charged in church van crash Ashland Christian Fellowship youth pastor cited with vehicular homicide in Sacramento, Calif. By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune Sacramento County, Calif., prosecutors have charged a Rogue Valley man involved in a fatal van crash with vehicular homicide. The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office filed the charge March 8 against Jeremy L. Hascall, a youth pastor at Ashland Christian Fellowship. Hascall was driving a Ford Econoline van carrying 12 girls home from a house-building mission trip to Mexico Aug. 17. The group had been traveling all night when the crash happened just before 5 a.m. inside Sacramento’s southern city limits in the northbound lanes of Interstate 5. The van drifted right. When Hascall realized the van was drifting, he turned left, but overcorrected and crossed into the median, California Highway Patrol officials said. Hascall then turned right, sending the van back across the northbound lanes and onto the gravel shoulder. When the van’s wheels hit the gravel, the van rolled several times, ejecting some passengers, a police report said. Advertisement Jessyca Tahlor Newmann, 14, of Talent, suffered massive injuries and was rushed to University of California at Davis Medical Center, where she died at about 8 p.m. that night. Three other girls were seriously injured. Kelsey Smith, 15, of Medford, broke her neck, but was back on her feet within months of the injury that doctors feared would prevent her from ever walking again. Elisa Rosenlund, 15, of Ashland, broke her pelvis, back and ribs, requiring surgery and extensive rehabilitation. Kayla Heffner, 15, of Talent, had a punctured lung and dislocated neck. Other girls suffered minor injuries. Hascall continues to work with the teens at Ashland Christian Fellowship. "It’s hard seeing the girls hobbling around," he said. "I mean it’s awesome that they are healing, but it’s hard, too." He said he expected to face charges stemming from the accident, but didn’t know what they would be or when they would come. "I didn’t think I would be let off the hook," he said. "I knew something would happen. I was ready." Hascall said he has hired an attorney and wants to see the charge reduced to reckless driving. His arraignment will be set this month, prosecutors said. Vehicular manslaughter that doesn’t involve alcohol or gross negligence is a misdemeanor under California law. Reach reporter Anita Burkeat 776-4459, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times