TEXARKANA, Arkansas -- A man who allegedly was speeding and legally intoxicated at the time of a fatal crash last year has been charged with negligent homicide in Miller County.
John Cochran, 40, is facing the charge in the Oct. 14 crash death of Rebecca Hill French, 65.
Cochran was traveling northbound on U.S. Highway 71 and French was traveling westbound on East Third Street in Texarkana, Arkansas, according to a probable cause affidavit. Cochran allegedly was driving 66 to 70 miles per hour, "twice the posted speed limit for this stretch of highway."
French made a left turn in a right-turn-only lane, "going against the median of the traffic lane," the affidavit states.
Cochran's 2004 BMW struck French's 2006 Ford Taurus on the driver's side, according to an Arkansas State Police fatal crash summary. The Taurus spun out of control and struck a vacant building.
French was pronounced dead at the scene. Her passenger was taken via ambulance to a local hospital.
Cochran's blood was drawn after the crash. Test results received in January allegedly show Cochran's blood alcohol level was .09.
Driver's are considered legally impaired at .08.
Cochran faces five to 20 years in prison, a fine up to $15,000 or both if convicted of negligent homicide. He is free on a $25,000 bond.