Two face charges in fatal river crash

Criminal charges have been filed against two Chester residents in connection with the May 30 accident that claimed the life of 57-year-old Ronald Coffman of Chester.

Russel Briseno, 30, of Chester is charged with Aggravated Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Obstructing Justice, according to Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker's office. Stephanie England, 26, of Chester is changed with a felony of Obstructing Justice.

Chester Police Chief Ryan Coffey said arrest warrants were issued last week and England was arrested by Chester police at her home. She is in Randolph County Jail on $5,000 bond, according to the Randolph County Sheriff's Department.

Briseno surrendered to authorities Monday night, Coffey said. He is being held in Randolph County Jail.

Initial reports indicated Coffman, Briseno and England were in a Jeep Liberty during the early morning hours of May 30 when the vehicle crashed through a guard rail at the bottom of Chester hill by the railroad station building and went down the embankment into the Mississippi River.

Briseno and England were able to escape from the Jeep and swim to shore, according to reports. Coffman's body was discovered two days later a few miles south of Chester, following an extensive search of the river by local and regional authorities.

Initial reports suggested Coffman was the driver of the Jeep when it crashed into the river. but Coffey said further investigation revealed several inconsistencies were found in the accounts of the accident given by Briseno and England. Coffman, according to family members, could not swim and he reportedly had not been driving for quite some time.

It was discovered that Briseno was actually the driver of the vehicle at the time of the crash, according to Coffey.