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A San Manuel couple has been sentenced for felonies committed in the death of former Mammoth Mayor James “Craig” Williams.
Yvonne Buelna and Caleb Elkins pleaded guilty to charges and were sentenced on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Pinal County Superior Court.
Judge Jason Holmberg sentenced Yvonne Buelna to 60 days in jail followed by three years probation for Hindering Prosecution a Class 5 felony.
Caleb Elkins received a sentence of three years in prison for Negligent Homicide a Class 4 felony and Hindering Prosecution. Elkins will also be placed on probation following his release from prison.
The incident on June 6, 2017 involved Elkins driving a vehicle at night in San Manuel that collided with Craig Williams who was riding a motorcycle. When police arrived, Yvonne Buelna lied to police and said she had been driving the vehicle. The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous tip that Buelna was not in the vehicle at the time of the collision and had arrived later. Court records show that witnesses shortly after the accident saw Elkins call someone on his phone. Buelna, Elkin’s wife, showed up a few moments later and jumped in the vehicle and adjusted the seat to her height. She claimed she had been driving and did not see Williams before hitting him. Elkins claimed he had been in the passenger seat of the vehicle. Elkins later admitted he had lied and had been the driver of the vehicle.
Deputy Pinal County Attorney Adam Garvin criticized Buelna and Elkins for lying, saying it may have prevented authorities from possibly filing more serious charges.
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