An initial appearance has been set for a Jennings man facing a first degree manslaughter charge or in the alternative negligent homicide who was driving a semi-trailer truck that collided with a vehicle driven by a Stroud man who died in the crash.
Brent Lee Nobles, 43, of Jennings, was charged in Lincoln County District Court March 23. A $15,000 bench warrant was issued for his arrest.
Court records show the warrant was returned and filed on April 6 and a $15,000 bond remains in effect with Nobles’ promise to make an initial appearance at 1:30 p.m. on April 20.
The first degree manslaughter charge accuses Nobles on Sept. 28, 2022.
VanFossen was 68 when he died in the collision.
The alternative charge, negligent homicide–motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, states Nobles committed the delinquent act on Sep. 28, 2022, by driving a motor vehicle in reckless disregard of the safety of others, passing in a no passing and in do so doing so injured VanFossen causing his death, contrary to provisions of state statutes.
In a probable cause affidavit, Stroud Police Officer Charles Mash states he was advised around 3:45 p.m. on Sep. 28, 2022 of a vehicle collision at SH 99 and 850 Road. He said upon his arrival he observed a white Chevy pickup truck and a gold semi with a flatbed trailer sitting at a resting point on the northwest corner of that intersection.
The Stroud officer also made contact with the driver of the semi, Brent Nobles, and he stated that he went to pass a slowing vehicle and when he entered the other lane of traffic he noticed the vehicle brake, not use his turn signal and turn west onto 850 Road. Nobles stated he tried to stop his vehicle but couldn’t get it stopped before hitting VanFossen.
Mash reported he determined VanFossen was driving northbound on SH 99 and was turning west onto 850 Road. Nobles was driving northbound on SH 99 and was attempting to pass the slowing vehicles in a no passing zone and was not able to stop before colliding with VanFossen before coming to a stop on the northwest corner of the SH 99 and 850 Road intersection, the affidavit states.
Mash stated that Stroud Fire and Miller EMS worked on getting VanFossen unpinned from the vehicle and once extricated saw them place VanFossen on a gurney and start CPR on him. VanFossen was taken by ambulance to Stroud Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
A witness, Christopher Smith, reportedly told Mash that he was driving directly behind VanFossen and that VanFossen had his turn signal on and was turning left when the semi driven by Nobles passed him and struck VanFossen’s truck.