Jury finds high driver guilty of manslaughter in ODOT worker's highway death

Deven Ray Franklin, 19, faces charges of first-degree manslaughter, possession of a controlled dangerous substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
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Posted: 03/01/2013

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. - A Sperry man who struck and killed an Oklahoma Department of Transportation worker has been found guilty of manslaughter.

Jurors deliberated for more than eight hours Friday in the case against 19-year-old Deven Franklin before coming to a decision.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol officials say Franklin crossed a US-75 divider line, hitting 42-year-old Ira Henderson, who was working in a construction zone. Franklin then collided with another vehicle before coming to a stop.

Franklin, who was found to have THC in his system less than an hour after the accident, was also found guilty of possession of a controlled dangerous substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

The jury recommended a four-year sentence for manslaughter charge. Sentencing is scheduled for April 15.