Trial delayed for truck driver charged in deadly I-70 crash
A new trial date has not been set for the truck driver charged with involuntary manslaughter for a deadly I-70 crash. The trial was set to begin March 29, but has been delayed.
Highway Patrol officials said Anthony West, a truck driver from Georgia, was driving west on I-70 on July 1 when he slammed into Margaret Haile’s pickup at 68 miles per hour near the Route Z exit, killing her.
A probable cause statement shows that West drove past MoDOT signs warning of backed-up traffic ahead because of a crash near Lake of the Woods exit.
Haile was driving from her home in Auxvasse to visit her husband, Alvin, in Boone County Hospital and was hit by West while waiting for the crash ahead to clear.
A Highway Patrol crash report obtained by ABC 17 News details witness statements. One witness said, “I was sitting and he shot right past me, hit the little truck, shot around and hit the big truck. He was movin.”
The probable cause statement shows that West said he tried to stop – pressing his brakes “to the floor.” However, the Highway Patrol inspected West’s brakes and found them to be operable.
If convicted, West could spend up to seven years in prison. ABC 17 News has contacted Anthony West for comment. West said his attorney has advised him not to discuss the case.
