Man arrested after allegedly causing highway crash that killed local mother
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RIRIE — A 37-year-old Ammon man has been arrested after being accused of causing a crash that killed a local mother.
Robert Jason Branson is charged with felony vehicular manslaughter for a crash that caused the death of 44-year-old Jenefer “Jeni” June Mitchell, a single mother whose obituary describes her as “one of the most authentic people you could ever meet.”
Court filings do not indicate if Branson has hired or has been appointed an attorney.
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According to an Idaho State Police report, troopers were dispatched to a fatal crash on June 20 around 4:30 p.m on U.S. Highway 26 near milepost 349 in the Ririe area.
When troopers arrived, they reportedly saw a Honda Accord driven by Mitchell and a black Toyota Tundra driven by Branson in a field on the south side of the highway. By the time troopers arrived, Mitchell had already died, says the trooper’s report.
On June 24, troopers spoke with a witness to the crash, and the witness said she had been driving westbound on US-26 behind Branson, whose Tundra was pulling a trailer carrying motorcycles. The witness said the pickup truck drove left of center, nearly hitting an SUV.
OBITUARY | Jenefer June Mitchell
The witness then watched as the Tundra “slowly crossed the center line” and hit the Accord, which was also driving westbound, as Mitchell tried to make a left turn.
According to troopers, Mitchell tried to avoid the crash by turning right onto the edge of her lane and hitting her brakes hard enough to activate the anti-lock brake system, but the two cars collided, and the Tundra rolled.
Detectives questioned Branson, who reportedly claimed that his phone had died several miles before the crash, to indicate he had not been texting and driving.
Blood samples were taken from Mitchell and Branson, which came back negative for alcohol or mind-altering drugs, according to court documents.
A warrant for Branson’s arrest was issued on Sept. 1, and he was booked into the Bonneville County Jail with a $50,000 bond on Sept. 8. He paid bail and was released the same day.
He is expected to appear for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 25. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.