Manslaughter Charges Refiled In Plane Crash

Wednesday, October 17th 2007, 7:01 am

By: News On 6

First-degree manslaughter charges are refiled against Brent Caldwell in the deaths of 15-year-old Mariano Carlos, 20-year-old Everado Robles and 33-year-old Eulalio Gonzalez Campos. Caldwell was at the controls of a 1972 Bellanca 17-30A when it crashed into Grand Lake December 16, 2006, police say. He was reportedly taking the three on a joyride around the lake when the engine stalled.

A judge dismissed charges against Caldwell in May, saying prosecutors did not show heâ€™d done anything illegal to cause the plane to stall and crash. On Tuesday, Delaware County prosecutors refiled the charges based on the final crash report. That report from the National Transportation Safety Board says the cause of the crash was darkness and a lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

Shortly after the crash blood was drawn from Caldwell. He tested negative for alcohol, but at the crash site law enforcement officials said Caldwell was slurring his words and smelled of alcohol. Four empty beer bottles were found in the plane, said investigators.

Caldwell, who did not have a pilotâ€™s license, is expected to surrender to authorities on Wednesday.

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