Jamestown man behind fatal crash sentenced

By A.J. RAO

Special to the OBSERVER

MAYVILLE — A Jamestown man linked to a deadly car crash in Carroll last year was sentenced to 18 months in the Chautauqua County Jail.

On Dec. 19, John E. Hillman, 37, was handed a definite sentence of one year and a definite sentence of six months in the county jail for his convictions of criminally negligent homicide and driving while intoxicated.

The charges stem from a Dec. 6, 2015 incident, in which Hillman was driving eastbound on Ivory Road in Carroll with three passengers.

Shortly before 3 a.m., Hillman — who was intoxicated — failed to negotiate a curve and lost control of the vehicle.

The ensuing crash reportedly ejected the front-seat passenger — 39-year-old Chalise M. Hebner of Pittsfield, Pa. — who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Hillman was indicted by a Chautauqua County Grand Jury and committed to the county jail.

Other individuals sentenced recently included:

Jamie Rolon-Robles, 29, of Jamestown, who was handed a determinate sentence of two years in state prison plus two years of post-release supervision for a conviction of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Mark J. Goldsmith, 32, of Jamestown, who was handed a determinate sentence of two years in state prison plus two years of post-release supervision, and another determinate sentence of two years in state prison plus two years of post-release supervision for his convictions of second- and third-degree criminal possession of marijuana.

Brett W. Lutz, 22, of Jamestown, who was handed a determinate sentence of 8.5 years in state prison plus 10 years of post-release supervision for a conviction of first-degree criminal sex act.

Shaun Ellison, 35, of Forestville, who was handed a determinate sentence of one year in state prison plus one year of post-release supervision, and also an indeterminate sentence of 1-3 years in state prison for his convictions of third-degree unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine and third-degree criminal mischief.

Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office

¯ CHARLOTTE — On Thursday at 2:45 p.m., deputies responded to a two-vehicle accident with minor injuries occurring on Route 60 in the town of Charlotte.

Due to the weather and slippery road conditions, the vehicle reportedly driven by Jeremiah J. Heckathorn, 22, of Fredonia was unable to slow down and ran into the rear end of the vehicle reportedly driven by Carlos I. Rivera, 34, of Jamestown, causing damage to both vehicles.

Individuals that were involved were transported by local ambulances to Brooks Memorial Hospital and WCA Hospital for further evaluation of non-life threatening injuries.

Responding agencies were Lily Dale Fire Department, Gerry Fire Department, Cassadaga Fire Department and Sinclairville Fire Department.

Erie County Sheriff’s Office

¯ BRANT — Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports on Thursday, Deputies Christian and Hyde conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling on Southwestern Boulevard in the town of Brant at approximately 2 a.m.

The deputies’ investigation revealed that the operator did not have a valid driver’s license, and a subsequent search of the vehicle and its occupants reportedly uncovered six packets of heroin and drug paraphernalia.

Arrested and charged were: Amber Riggs, 21, of Randolph, with one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance; Julio Cirino, 24, of Dunkirk, with one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance; Rafael Gonzalez, 29, of Dunkirk, with one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance and two separate vehicle and traffic law violations.

Cirino and Gonzalez were held at the Erie County Holding Center on $2,500 bail each, and Riggs was released on bail.

Dunkirk Police Department

≤ Nicole J. Coleman, 21, of Dunkirk was charged with second-degree criminal impersonation, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana on Monday.

≤ Sharalton L. Wilson, 35, of Fredonia was charged with third-degree assault and petit larceny on Monday.

≤ William Santiago-Pena, 38, of Dunkirk was charged with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and obstructed view on Monday.

≤ Matthew Plaister, 21, of Fredonia was charged with driving an unregistered motor vehicle on Tuesday.

≤ Mitchell Magierski, 24, of Forestville was charged with driving an unregistered motor vehicle and having more than seven rounds in a vehicular device, which is a violation of the S.A.F.E. Act, on Tuesday.