Repeat offender Robert Thomas Berryhill, a suspect Eugene police arrested for a felony hit-and-run at 13th Avenue and Hilyard Street last Thursday, was arraigned Monday afternoon at Lane County Jail on felony and misdemeanor charges.
Berryhill was charged with two felonies, one for killing Lucy Irene Lahr, 45, and another for seriously injuring her partner Susan Wehner, 44, as they were crossing Hilyard Street in a crosswalk at the corner of East 13th Avenue at around 8 p.m.
Berryhill took a sharp left onto Hilyard from East 13th Avenue and fled the scene after hitting Lahr and Wehner. Berryhill was also arrested for driving with a suspended license, a result of an arrest in January in which he was convicted of reckless driving and driving under the influence.
Lane County District Attorney Doug Harcleroad said Eugene police were able to track down Berryhill after receiving an anonymous tip Friday night. With the assistance of police in Coos Bay, North Bend, and Coquille, Eugene police found Berryhill near a Safeway in North Bend. His truck was found in the supermarket parking lot and transported to a Eugene impound parking lot. Police suspect Berryhill lives part time in Eugene and part time in Coos Bay.
“The investigation will continue with EPD and with one of our investigators,” said Harcleroad. “Forensics experts are also inspecting the vehicle.”
Susan Wehner, who was seriously injured after she was hit, was discharged from Sacred Heart Medical Center early Monday morning.
Berryhill will reappear in court Nov. 19 and will be expected to enter a plea. If he pleads guilty, Harcleroad estimated that Berryhill will serve at least 27 to 28 months in prison.
His sentence may be longer due to his criminal history, which in addition to the convictions in January, includes one charge of reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, criminal trespassing and another charge of driving under the influence.
Harcleroad said Berryhill may be released from Lane County Jail before his 35-day call due to lack of jail space.
“If he’s the least serious offender in the jail, he could be released,” said Harcleroad. “We only have 150 spaces for local offenders, and 70 to 90 are currently in for Ballot Measure 11 offenses. Those people are taking up the majority of space available.”
Harcleroad added that the Lane County justice system has been hit hard because it doesn’t have enough space for everyone who is arrested. Criminals who are released often contribute to ongoing crime problems.
“I think they’re letting out 11 to 13 people a day now,” said Harcleroad, “and because of that, our justice system is badly, badly damaged. We have good quality police in Lane, but we just don’t have enough of them.”
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