MENDOCINO COUNTY, Calif. – A Mendocino County jury on Tuesday found a Fort Bragg resident guilty of two felony and four misdemeanor counts of reckless driving, stemming from a three-car accident that happened nearly a year ago.

Jurors deliberated slightly more than two hours before rejecting defendant Randall Douglas Jennings’ defense that he was suffering from something akin to sleepwalking in the time leading up to the May 27, 2011, accident on Highway 1 on the Mendocino Coast, according to the Mendocino County District Attorney's Office.

Prosecutors called a dozen witnesses – including five witnesses to Jennings’ driving that day – three victims, three CHP officers, and one medical expert.  

The witnesses testified that they observed Jennings driving north of Cleone on Highway 1 at high speeds, passing several cars across double yellow lines and around blind corners.  

At the intersection of Little Valley Road and Highway 1, Jennings’ vehicle narrowly missed a southbound vehicle, before losing control and colliding head-on with two other southbound vehicles, injuring a total of six victims.  

The defense called three witnesses, including the 43-year-old defendant and Dr. Richard Miller, in support of the defendant’s attempted defense of “sleep driving.” Jennings testified that he remembered driving north on Highway 1, but did not remember reckless driving or the accident.

The two felony convictions entered were for reckless driving causing specific injury to two passengers in the first car hit by Jennings.

The four misdemeanor reckless driving convictions entered were for injuries to passengers in the two additional cars struck by Jennings’ vehicle. All six victims were visiting from out of county on the day of the accident.

“I would like to thank the jurors for their careful consideration of the evidence and for reaching a just verdict,” said prosecutor Jared Kelly.
 
District Attorney David Eyster said the verdict “is evidence of how the California Highway Patrol, concerned citizens and the DA’s Office continue to work together towards the common goals of seeking justice for victims of crimes and safeguarding our roads.”

Judge Clayton Brennan referred the defendant’s matter to the Probation Office for a sentencing report and recommendation.

The sentencing hearing was then calendared for 9 a.m. June 18 at the Fort Bragg courthouse.