EUGENE, Ore. (KMTR) - The suspect involved in June's hit and run incident that killed an 18-year old part-time Lane Community College student may have fallen asleep at the wheel moments before the accident.
In a search warrant affidavit, 31-year old Jason Manske confessed to Oregon State Police he knew he hit a man before speeding off.
The documents state, "Manske admitted to being involved in a collision with a pedestrian," and later include details of what happened.
Manske told police he had the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado for about six months before he hit 18-year old Bryson Krissie. He said he had gotten it from a friend and it was still registered under the previous owner.
He admitted to authorities he was at a bar, The Highlands, for dinner that night. He said he was driving on 30th Avenue when he fell asleep and woke up moments later drifting off of the road. He said he tried to correct the vehicle and that's when he heard a "thump" noise. The documents state that Manske reported when he looked up, he saw he had hit a person. He saw brake lights behind him, and sped off - driving uninsured and under probation already - to a friend's house. He said he asked his friend to fix the truck.
Days later, police showed up to Manske's Cottage Grove neighborhood and talked to neighbors. They told police Manske had been driving a different vehicle than his truck. He was driving a 1999 GMC when police stopped him on London Road.
Manske was arrested and charged with felony hit and run and criminally negligent homicide. He served some time in the Lane County Jail but was released at the end of the month of June due to budget cuts and consequently, jail bed reductions. Manske is said to be monitored and regularly checked on by officials.
Indications of the use of drugs is also reported in the search warrant affidavit. Documents show that when Manske was pulled over, he threw out a marijuana cigarette. Police found a baggie with two pills in it, proven later to be Oxycodone that was not prescribed. Manske said he had a prescription for Vicodin but at Manske's home, police found the bottle was empty. After doing the math, police estimated Manske had taken six Vicodin pills a day previous to the incident.
NewsSource 16 tried to contact Jason Manske but to no reply. His court date is scheduled for July 27th, 2012.
