Sentencing set for driver in crash
WAYNESBURG – An Alabama truck driver convicted of killing two men from Michigan in an accident on Interstate 79 in Greene County last year is scheduled to appear in court for sentencing on Tuesday. David Trent Elrod, 42 of Crossville, who was found guilty of two counts of homicide by vehicle and other charges in a non-jury trial in August, will appear before Greene County Judge Farley Toothman for sentencing at 1:30 p.m.
Toothman found Elrod guilty of causing the accident that killed David Wimert, 46, and Terry Gene Caryl, 47, both of Port Huron, Mich. on I-79 south between the Waynesburg and Kirby exists on April 15, 2008.
Wimert, who was driving, and Caryl were traveling south in a 2004 Ford Ranger when they were crushed between two tractor-trailers, according to state police.
The tractor-trailer Elrod was driving rear-ended the pickup and pushed it into a tractor-trailer driven by John Venable, 53, of Eustis, Fla., police said.
Wimert and Caryl died from injuries they suffered in the collision. The Ranger burst into flames following the impact and Elrod jumped from his truck cab when it caught fire, police said.
Traveling an estimated 65 mph, Elrod apparently failed to heed signs of an approaching construction zone or that traffic was backed up in advance of the posted construction zone, said District Attorney Marjorie J. Fox.
The southbound and northbound lanes were closed for several hours after the crash.
Elrod was found guilty of two counts of homicide by vehicle and four Vehicle Code violations.