Dad: Woman who hit, killed 2 students had changed drugs

SALEM – A 29-year-old woman accused of killing two high school students and critically injuring a third while driving under the influence of drugs faces an additional charge of reckless endangerment.

The Statesman Journal reported that Sophia Downing, 29, appeared in court on Friday for her arraignment, crying nearly throughout the entire proceeding. She was not asked to respond to the charges and did not issue a plea.

Her stepfather, William Hancock, said Downing is bipolar and switched medication the day before the crash.

Downing is charged with manslaughter, second-degree assault and driving under the influence after the Sept. 23 crash. Police say she was under the influence of prescription drugs when the 1994 Chevy Blazer she was driving jumped a curb near Chemeketa Community College and struck three people near a crosswalk.

The crash killed two students: Brittney Green, 18, and Francisco Cervantes, 16. A third victim, 18-year-old Jorge Echeverria, was in critical but stable condition at Salem Hospital.

Hancock said he spoke with Downing, who he said told him, “Dad, I didn’t mean to hurt anybody.”

Hancock said Downing was trying to turn her life around and had begun taking classes at the community college.

“She was very ill,” he said of her recent bouts with bipolar disorder.

Downing faces the additional charge of reckless endangerment because she allegedly struck a vehicle that student Diego Ramos, 19, was driving.

Downing has a criminal record that includes a 1997 conviction on a charge of first-degree assault, for which she was sentenced to 120 months.

She also faced an attempted-murder charge in that case which was dismissed.

Lois Green, Brittney Green’s mother, cried in the courtroom while Downing was arraigned.

“It just feels like you’ve had your heart ripped out,” Lois Green said. “I hope this woman never sees the light of day.”

Downing’s next hearing is Oct. 19.