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Trial Set for Garbage Truck Driver Accused in Fatal KY Crash

December 27, 2010 - Jeffersonville, KY - A judge has set a trial date of March 15 for the former driver of a garbage truck in Jeffersonville who is charged with criminal recklessness and reckless homicide in connection with a fatal accident on Highway 60, Courier-Journal.com has reported.

Roger E. Crum Jr., 45, was indicted earlier this month. According to the City of Jeffersonville and police authorities, Crum was westbound en route to Clark-Floyd Landfill around noon when the accident occurred. He didn't notice a flagger or the warnings posted about roadwork near Ebenezer Church Road.

He continued driving and could not brake effectively, which caused the garbage truck to crash into several vehicles that had stopped because of road work. The garbage truck skidded more than 80 feet when it hit a Ford Aspire, killing 19-year-old Bethany Burrier.

Crum's passenger, a fellow city employee, was injured, as well as 2 people in another vehicle.

After the fatal accident, Crum was terminated for not revealing that he was taking prescription pain medication. Crum's lawyer stated that blood tests indicate that Crum had no medication in his system during the tragic accident.

The reckless homicide charge stems from Burrier's death. In addition, Crum faces 3 counts of criminal recklessness that stem from injuries caused by the crash.

After the collision, Burrier's parents filed a civil suit and Jeffersonville settled for an undisclosed amount.

Crum is under house arrest and allowed to leave only for medical attention and work.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's 2009 Kentucky Crash Statistics, there were 791 fatalities as a result of traffic accidents in Kentucky.

As a service to our readers, we will occasionally publish blogs about serious or fatal traffic accidents in our region. We do this to raise awareness of the types of conditions and factors that commonly lead to severe injuries or death as a result of Kentucky vehicle accidents.

If you or loved one was mentioned in this blog and you would like for it to be removed, please contact us and we will accommodate your request.

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