WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A jury has convicted a Wilmington man on multiple charges in a car crash that killed a 2-year-old boy.
The jury late this afternoon found Jonathan Hayes guilty of second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter, reckless driving, driving without a license and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Hayes was accused of crashing into a family’s car and killing 2-year-old Mason Richardson while high on opioids in November 2016.
Hayes allegedly crashed his truck into a car killing Mason and sending his mother Alexandria Williams and his brother to the hospital. It happened at the intersection of Oleander Drive and Independence Blvd. in Wilmington.
Investigators say Hayes, who was 24 years old at the time, needed multiple doses of Narcan after the crash. The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office told us Hayes had been arrested and put in jail 13 times prior to his latest charge for second degree murder.
The defense gave its closing arguments earlier in the day. Hayes attorney claims Hayes fell asleep at the wheel and that evidence does not show an overdose on opiates. The defense said there was no malicious intent, so Hayes can not be guilty of murder.
Last week, a forensic scientist from a crime lab in Raleigh said Hayes blood tested positive for cocaine, Xanax, and diphenhydramine, which is found in over the counter drugs like Tylenol PM and Benadryl.
We’ll have more on this story tonight on WWAY.