California Injury Blog
A Pittsburgh truck driver who improperly hitched a wood-chipper to his vehicle was sentenced Tuesday to nine to 18 months in jail for causing a crash that killed a father and two of his triplets, according to an Associated Press news report that was posted on the San Francisco Chronicle’s website.
The wood-chipper broke free from Bradley Demitras’ truck on a busy highway, rolled across the median and slammed into the family’s minivan. Demitras expressed remorse for his actions, but of course, it was too late. The damage had been done.
“All I can say is I am sorry,” he said. “I know that sounds like the hollowest thing in the world, but I am sorry.”
After his sentence, Demitras must prominently display a picture of the accident scene in his home, Allegheny County Judge Lester Nauhaus ruled. He must also serve six years’ probation. Demitras, 35, of Pine Township, could have faced more than 17 years in prison. He pleaded guilty in March to three counts of involuntary manslaughter among other charges and acknowledged that the wood-chipper was not properly hooked up to his truck before he left work on April 13, 2006.
Prosecutors said Demitras was speeding when the wood-chipper flew into the opposing lanes, killing Spencer Morrison, 37, of Cranberry and 4-year-olds Alaina and Garrett. Demitras also pleaded guilty to one count of reckless endangerment for critically injuring their children’s sibling, Ethan.
At Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys we’ve fought trucking companies that have caused immense tragedies in people’s lives because of their negligent action. One of our clients, Alvin Austin, lost his wife Beverly when her car was hit by a loosely stacked sign, which flew off of a truck and pierced right through her vehicle, fatally injuring her.
These types of incidents can often turn out to be lethal. It is the result of an act of negligence and callousness. There is no question about it. Time and again, we have brought these people to justice and that gives us immense satisfaction.
If you have been injured in a truck or auto accident, please call us at 1-800-259-6373 for a free consultation.