Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt today announced that a Multnomah County jury found Jaylon Jamall Benjamin, 30, guilty on all counts for the October 2023 car crash that killed James and Lisa Johnson in Northeast Portland.
Case Facts
On October 28, 2023, while driving a U-Haul pick-up truck eastbound on NE Lombard, Jaylon Benjamin hit a black SUV driven by James and Lisa Johnson which was in the westbound lane attempting to turn onto 33rd Ave. Witnesses to the incident estimated the U-Haul being driven by Benjamin was driving at least 80 mph. The speed limit on Lombard is 45 mph. Both James and Lisa Johnson died at the scene due to their injuries. Despite Benjamin’s claim that he was driving only 55 miles per hour, airbag control module data from the U-Haul shows he was in fact driving 100 miles per hour just two seconds before the crash, and then applied brakes one second before the crash, slowing to 80 miles per hour at the time of impact.
Trial & Verdict
Deputy District Attorneys Chris Shull and Abbie Tornquist represented the state at trial, which took place from November 18 through November 21, 2024 in front of Judge Ryan Thomas. A 12-person jury delivered the verdict yesterday, Thursday, November 21, finding Benjamin guilty on all counts. He was convicted of:
- 2 counts of Manslaughter in the Second Degree
- Animal Abuse in the Second Degree
- Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, and
- Reckless Driving
Benjamin remains in custody pending sentencing, which has been scheduled for December 19, 2024.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s office would like to acknowledge the work of all who contributed to the resolution of this case. We would like to express our appreciation for PPB Major Crash Team lead investigator Chase Fullington, as well as MCDA victim advocates Rebecca Leediker and Lyssa Simmons.
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