UPDATE: Senior Air Force member charged with teen's death, SJAFB releases statement
By Ethan Smith
Published in News on December 16, 2016 10:38 AM
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News-Argus/SETH COMBS
Chief Master Sgt. Hector Soler at the Wayne County Magistrate's Office on Thursday night. Soler is charged with felony death by motor vehicle in the death of 17-year-old Johny Watson.
Chief Master Sgt. Hector Soler, security forces manager at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, turned himself in to Goldsboro police Thursday evening on charges of felony death by motor vehicle.
Soler walked out of the Wayne County Magistrate's Office 40 minutes later free on a $75,000 secured bond.
Charges against Soler were upgraded Thursday afternoon from felony serious injury by motor vehicle after Johny Robert Watson, the 17-year-old Soler struck with his vehicle while allegedly driving drunk Saturday night, succumbed to his injuries.
Watson died shortly after his family had him taken off of life support at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville where the teen had lingered for almost a week following emergency surgery and being put into a medically induced coma.
According to a GoFundMe page set up for the teen after the crash, Watson's family allowed the hospital to remove his organs to be donated before doctors disconnected the machines keeping their son alive.
The hospital will be flying a white flag for 48 hours signifying the organ donation ---- a tradition marking such occasions ---- honoring Watson's gift of life and his memory.
Soler, 47, is also charged with driving while impaired and failure to reduce speed.
A statement released by Seymour Johnson Air Force Base 4th Fighter Wing commander Col. Christopher Sage expressed condolences on behalf of the base to Watson's family. The statement released Friday morning also hinted that disciplinary action from the Air Force might also be forthcoming.
"We extend our deepest sympathies to those affected during this difficult time," Sage said. "We are truly saddened this young man's life was tragically cut short. We are currently cooperating with local law enforcement and reviewing evidence to determine appropriate action."
Soler arrived quietly at the magistrate's office at about 7:30 p.m. Thursday, a time previously agreed upon with law enforcement, wearing an all gray sweat suit with the hood up over his head. Soler was accompanied by his attorney, Dustin B. Pittman.
Pittman, an attorney with Strickland, Agner & Associates, declined to comment on the case when reached by phone this morning, citing an ethical obligation to his client.
The charges against Soler stem from a two vehicle wreck that took place on South George Street near Carver Boulevard at around 11:30 p.m. Saturday.
According to the accident report, Soler crashed into the back of Watson's Jeep going 70 mph. His blood alcohol content at the time of the wreck was 0.16 -- more than twice the legal limit -- according to an accident report.
Soler sent Watson's Jeep flying 159 feet into a utility pole at the intersection of South George Street and Carver Boulevard, the report said.
Soler told police Watson's car was parked in the roadway with no headlights on when he struck the car, but Goldsboro Police Chief Mike West said that is not the case.
"His lights were on, and he was going between 20 and 25 mph, possibly slowing down for the railroad tracks," West said.
According to the report, Soler's speedometer was stuck at 70 mph after the crash.
Watson was initially taken to Wayne Memorial Hospital with severe head injuries and then flown to Vidant Medical Center in Greenville.
Soler was arrested immediately after the crash, taken to the Wayne County Jail and given a $20,000 secured bond for an initial charge of felony serious injury by motor vehicle. He was also given a $2,000 unsecured bond for the charges of DWI and failure to reduce speed, according to arrest reports.
Capt. Leann Rabun with the Goldsboro Police Department said the new charge filed Thursday ---- felony death by motor vehicle ---- replaces the original charge of felony serious injury by motor vehicle.
In the hours leading up to the GoFundMe post's announcement of Watson's death, his co-workers at Outback Steakhouse went about their daily routines with heavy hearts, hoping for a better outcome than the one they anticipated coming.
Anthony Blow only met Watson for the first time at the restaurant Saturday -- hours before Watson was flown to Vidant Medical Center in Greenville.
Blow, floating manager for the restaurant at 2617 N. Park Drive, said Watson worked had there as a host for three months, but he only met him that day.
He said Watson ended his shift around 10 p.m., but he said the time he spoke to Watson made a great impression on him -- with Watson's smile and positive attitude.
"I can tell just from that day that everyone loved him," he said. "When I found out what happened, just from everyone's reaction, it was like he was a really good guy."
Blow said co-workers who knew Watson well declined to speak about his condition, but Blow said all the employees "are on pins and needles right now."
By the end of the day they would all learn the unfortunate news.
Goldsboro Mayor Chuck Allen said this morning that the incident will not adversely affect the city's relationship with the base, and he extended his condolences to all involved.
"My heart, and our whole city's hearts and prayers go out to the family because nothing good comes out of this for either side," Allen said.
Allen added that this incident is an example of why people should not drink and drive.
"My only thing is I would just encourage people that if you're going to drink, you need to have a plan and not drive," Allen said. "We shouldn't have to be dealing with stuff like this. It's a very, very tragic and unfortunate thing."
Soler is the security forces manager for the 4th Security Forces Squadron at SJAFB.
His position puts him in charge of 230 people, according to information obtained from SJAFB public affairs.
Soler enlisted in the Air Force in 1987 and has been stationed in Goldsboro since July 2015.
Prior to arriving in Goldsboro, Soler was stationed in Japan, New Jersey, Turkey, Virginia, Arizona, New York and Texas.
Soler's first appearance in Wayne County District Court is scheduled for Monday at 9:30 a.m.