Staff Writer

A Gaffney man who was driving a truck in an accident that killed his friend and co-worker pleaded guilty to reckless homicide Monday.

Ronald C. Crocker Jr., 29, of 193 Goucher School Road entered his plea before Circuit Judge Edward W. Miller of Greenville. Miller sentenced Crocker to 10 years in prison but suspended the sentence to the time Crocker served in the Union County Jail - 21 1/2 hours - gave Crocker five years of probation, ordered him to get substance abuse counseling and ordered him to pay restitution. Deputy Solicitor John Anthony said the restitution totaled $6,494 in uncompensated burial expenses for the man who died in the crash, 47-year-old Bobby Cochran of 401 Marion Ave., Gaffney.

The one-vehicle crash occurred around 6 p.m. on Oct. 4, 2006, in the 700 block of Bobby Faucette Road. Cochran was thrown from the F350 truck Crocker was driving and was pronounced dead at Wallace Thomson Hospital. Three other co-workers in the truck also were injured.

Crocker and his four passengers worked for CDG Development Inc. in Gaffney. The company provides concrete curbing, grading, paving and other services. Union County Coroner William Holcombe said the men had been working in Aiken and were returning home to Gaffney when the wreck occurred.

Lance Cpl. Josef Robinson with the Highway Patrol said Crocker was traveling north on S.C. 114 (Bobby Faucette Road) when he ran off the right side of the road, over-corrected to the left, drove off the left side and the truck overturned several times. It came to rest upside-down in a field. All of the passengers in the rear seat were thrown out.

Alcohol was found at the scene, Robinson said.

Crocker originally was charged with felony driving under the influence but testing showed he was not legally impaired according to state law.

“His blood alcohol was .05,” Anthony said (a driver with .08 is considered drunk). “They took a blood draw from him after the accident and that closed being able to prosecute him for DUI. And we didn't have a strong case for reckless homicide. We would have been able to prove he was exceeding the speed limit by possibly 10 mph.”

Anthony said Cochran's common law wife, Nannie Manning, did not want Crocker to serve jail time. After the hearing Monday Crocker turned and hugged Ms. Manning in front of the judge's bench. Her recommendation and the fact that the state didn't have a strong case for reckless homicide were the reasons the state recommended probation for Crocker, Anthony said.

Man gets nine years

Also on Monday Marcus Smith, 31, of 106 Forest Circle, pleaded guilty to trafficking cocaine, second offense, and was sentenced to nine years in prison.

Smith and a co-defendant, Aubrey Jeter, 52, were arrested on Feb. 15, 2006 by the Union Public Safety Department after a joint investigation by public safety officers and sheriff's deputies.

Chief Sam White said at the time of Smith's arrest he had been under surveillance for two months by officers looking into allegations that he was engaged in drug trafficking. Officers learned that he would have cocaine in his possession and he and Jeter were followed by Lt. David Kitchens and State Constable Billy Bennett on West Main Street. The van was stopped on the Duncan By-Pass by Kitchens, Bennett and public safety officers Lt. Brian Bailey, Cpl. Scott Coffer and Sgt. Larry Robinson.

As officers approached, Jeter and Smith tried to get out of the van and both were seen dropping bags of cocaine. Jeter tried to kick his bag under the van.

Officers also confiscated additional cocaine, $932 in cash, digital scales and baggies

Jeter's case on the trafficking cocaine charge has not come to court. He has been held in the Union County Jail since June 20 on an unrelated charge of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.

The following people pleaded guilty Monday in General Sessions Court:

Gloria Allen, 101 Keenan Ave., Union, to assault and battery, 30 days suspended.

Lisa Betenbaugh, 273 Old Buncombe Road, Union, to unlawful use of 911, given credit for time served.

Blake Bright, 301 Maple St., Union, to two counts of breaking into a motor vehicle and petit larceny, three years suspended to time served, two years probation, 15 days of public service and restitution.

Dennis Gault, 224 Pinegate Drive, to strong-armed robbery, given credit for time served.

Earl Glenn Jr., 110 Byrd St., Chester, to possession of crack cocaine and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, 12 years suspended to three years probation and 20 days public service.

Randee Keisler, 202 Weight Ave., Union, to forgery, 18 months suspended to two years probation; to three counts of unlawful neglect of a child, 30 days suspended during probation.

Brian Lawson, 108 White Oak St., Union, to criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, 30 days suspended to time served, one year probation and $500 to the public defender fund.

Adam Reid, 267 Senate St., to possession of marijuana, second offense, given credit for time served.

Carthy Stevens, 1909 Lockhart Highway, Union, to possession with intent to distribute marijuana, third or more offense, five years suspended to one year, three years probation and 15 days public service.

Ricky Sullivan, 144 Moore St., Pacolet, to distribution of crack cocaine, first offense, three years suspended to time served and 18 months probation.

John Tucker, 1470 Peach Orchard Road, Union, to assault and battery, five years suspended to time served and 30 months probation.

Jeffrey Wood, 108 Hillcrest Drive Ext., Lockhart, to possession of marijuana, second or more offense, one year suspended to time served and $400.