The man charged in the fatal crash that claimed the life of a Bloomingdale man entered a guilty plea in Effingham County Superior Court Thursday.
Connor Ray Hillis of Bryan County was arrested by the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office back in November 2024 on charges of Homicide by Vehicle (1st degree), Driving Under the Influence, and Reckless Driving. The charges stemmed from a fatal crash on Highway 80 that killed Ernest Masten on April 24, 2024. Hillis was booked into the Effingham County jail and subsequently released on bond.
In March of 2025, a grand jury returned a True Bill of Indictment on four charges, alleging that Hillis was driving under the influence of marijuana and Benzodiazepine while traveling 90 mph – twice the posted speed limit – at the time of the crash. At arraignment, Hills entered a ‘not guilty’ plea.
Hillis’ attorneys, Steven Scheer and Donald Montgomery, filed a number of motions on Hillis’ behalf, seeking to have a substantial portion of the state’s evidence suppressed, including the vehicle’s black box data, blood test results for the Benzodiazepines, and blood test results for THC, among other things.
Thursday, however, Hillis appeared with his attorneys and entered a guilty plea before Judge Michael Muldrew. Facing thirty-seven years if convicted at trial, Hillis pleaded guilty to Homicide by Vehicle (1st degree) and Reckless Driving. As a condition of his plea, the Driving Under the Influence of Drugs charge was dismissed. Hillis was sentenced as follows:
- 4 years to serve
- 10 years on probation
- $3,500 fine
- 80 hours of community service
- Substance abuse evaluation
- DUI Risk Reduction Program within 90 days of release from prison
- Must surrender driver’s license
- Must abide by a curfew while on probation
- Must avoid alcohol and drugs not prescribed by a doctor
Hillis was taken into custody following his plea and transported to the Effingham County Jail where he awaits transport to the Georgia Department of Corrections.
