McKinney Tabor

Hayden Ray Tabor, left, and Matthew Logan McKinney were sentenced to probation and jail time, respectively, after they pleaded guilty to taking part in throwing a rock that smashed through the window of a car driving on Interstate-5 in November 2012.

(Oregon State Police)

A man who pleaded guilty to throwing a rock that smashed through the windshield of a car on Interstate 5 -- seriously injuring two University of Oregon athletes -- has been sentenced to nearly six years in prison. A second man connected to the assault was sentenced to three years of probation.

The rock-throwing assault happened in November 2012. UO distance runner Molly Grabill, accompanied by fellow distance runner Chris Brewer, was driving up I-5 when a rock larger than a baseball smashed through the windshield of her 1997 Subaru Legacy and hit Grabill in the face.

Brewer told police he grabbed the steering wheel but was unable to keep it under control as the vehicle traveled onto the shoulder. The station wagon rolled on the freeway and came to rest facing the opposite direction.

Following an investigation and tip from locals, Oregon State Police detectives identified and charged two men from Sutherlin.

Matthew Logan McKinney, 22, was sentenced to nearly six years in prison for actually dropping the rock. Hayden Ray Tabor, 22, was sentenced to three years of probation. He faces five years in prison if he violates his probation. The two pleaded guilty in court last week.

-- Nuran Alteir

nalteir@oregonian.com

503-294-4028

@whatnuransaid