James T. Hearon of Wade, Ark. could face up to 22 years in prison and $30,000 in fines for his role in the traffic accident on April 23 which shook the Chatham Borough community.

Hearon was driving his Chevrolet Tahoe on I-40 outside of Little Rock when he struck Charles Dziedzic, Robert Falzarano and George Falzarano, both of Long Hill Township.

The three men were returning from a cross-country motorcycle road trip. All three were wearing their helmets.

Dziedzic, the deputy director of Chatham Borough's Department of Public Works, was killed instantly. Brothers George and Robert, who acts as the borough administrator, were seriously injured and hospitalized for several weeks.

Lonoke County Prosecutor Chuck Graham said he filed charges of manslaughter against Hearon for Dziedzic's death. Manslaughter is a "C" felony under Arkansas law which carries a penalty of 3 to 10 years in jail and/or a $10,000 fine.

Hearon also faces two counts of second-degree battery, a "D" felony in Arkansas, for the injuries to Robert and George Falzarano. Each count has a penalty of up to six years in jail and/or a $10,000.

The arrest affidavit was completed on Aug. 6, and charges were filed on Sept. 6, according to Graham and Ed Galucki, assistant editor for the Cabot Star-Herald. 

Under Arkansas law, Graham said, prosecutors have one year from when charges are filed to begin trial. The law does allow for continuances and other delays.

Hearon will be in court for arraignment at 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 1. The lead prosecutor for the case is Ben Hooper, who was unavailable for comment Monday.

Robert Falzarano recently returned to work in Chatham Borough after what Engineer Vincent J. DeNave called "a miraculous recovery."