Tuesday, March 3, 22-year-old Cheyenne Castillo took her place in front of District Judge Gerald Neuwirth. She has been charged with two counts of first-degree manslaughter and one count of driving under the influence by the Comanche County District Court.
Castillo entered a blind plea of guilty to all counts. She is admitting, with this plea, that she was under the influence of opiates and other drugs when she drove into traffic south of Geronimo.
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Castillo was driving northbound on U.S. 277 about a mile south of Geronimo when the accident happened. She had two children in the car with her ages 15 and 1.
The other vehicle involved in the accident was occupied by 43-year-old Rocky Benefiel, 31-year-old Savannah Benefiel, and two children ages 4 and 8.
The two vehicles collided head-on.
Castillo was taken to Comanche County Memorial Hospital but had to be transferred to United Regional Hospital in Witchita Falls for her injuries.
The 8-year-old was admitted to Comanche County Memorial Hospital with critical injuries. The 1-year-old child was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Rocky Benefiel was taken to Comanche County Memorial Hospital where they treated him and then released him, along with their 4-year-old child.
The 8-year-old was treated at Comanche County Memorial Hospital but was transferred to Children’s Medical Center in Dallas in critical condition from the injuries sustained in the accident.
Savannah Benefiel was taken by Survival Flight to Comanche Community Memorial Hospital, but she was pronounced dead.
Reports indicated that all proper safety measures were taken. Seatbelts were used by all parties and the youngest children in both vehicles were in car seats.
The original arrest warrant was issued in August of 2018, but Castillo wasn’t taken into custody until January of 2019. She has been held at the Comanche County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond ever since.
Her formal sentencing hearing has been scheduled for May 5.