Manslaughter charges filed in crash that killed Chatham official

Charles Dziedzic.pngCharles Dziedzic

The man whose car struck and killed Chatham Borough's deputy director of public works in Arkansas is now facing homicide charges for the crash, according to court filings in Lonoke County, Ark.

James T. Hearon, of Wade, Ark. also faces two counts of second-degree battery, in connection with serious injuries sustained by the borough's administrator, Robert Falzarano, and his brother, George Falzarano.

According to an affidavit signed by Arkansas State Police Special Agent David R. Moss, traffic had been stopped on Interstate 40 east in the afternoon of April 23, because of a separate vehicle fire and a separate fatal collision on the road. Harley Davidson motorcycles being driven by the Falzaranos and by DPW deputy director Charles Dziedzic were stopped in the right lane, the affidavit states.

Hearon's car hit Dziedzic's motorcycle first, the affidavit states. The car then hit the motorcycles being driven by the Falzaranos, and then overturned, it states.

Dziedzic died at the scene. Robert Falzarano sustained multiple injuries and had his spleen removed, according to the affidavit. George Falzarano suffered brain hemoragine and multiple spinal fractures. Hearon was hurt badly in the crash as well, according to the affidavit.

Robert Falzarano returned to work just weeks ago after a lengthy recovery, according to a report on Chatham Patch.

State police said an analyis of the "black box" from Hearon's car showed it was going 70 miles per hour when it hit the first motorcycle, and that in the time between one and eight seconds prior to the crash, he didn't hit his brakes.

Hearon wasn't on a call, or sending or receiving text messages, state police said. According to the affidavit, police couldn't definitively determine if Hearon has been actively using the phone for Internet access, but Hearon told police he hadn't been.

Police also didn't find any alcohol or illicit substances in Hearon's blood, according to the affidavit.

Hearon told police in April he'd bee! n driving home from work when the crash occured, according to the affidavit. He reportedly said he saw vehicles slowing and stopping in front of him, including motorcycles.

"He stated the next thing he knew he was going end over end, and then eventually ended up in the median," the affidavit states.

In a later interview in May, Hearon reportedly told police his cruise control had been set to 70 mph just before the crash, but he tapped on the brakes to disengage it when he saw traffic slowing in front of him. He reportedly said he tried to change lanes to take the Lonoke exit, "and the next thing I know I ended up in the median of the interstate after colliding with an unknown object." According to the affidavit, Hearon said he only knew he hit the motorcycles after the crash occurred.

Hearon is scheduled for an arraignment on Oct 1.

The Lonoke County Prosecuting Attorney's office directed NJ.com to the court filing when asked for comment on the decision to pursue homicide and battery charges.

Related coverage:
• Deputy Director of Chatham Public Works killed, Borough Administrator and his brother injured in traffic accident in Arkansas
• Chatham Borough Public Works deputy director dies in motorcycle accident
• More Morris County news: NJ.com/morris | Twitter | Facebook
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