A truck driver was sentenced to 40 years in prison for his role in a fatal crash which took the lives of two construction workers. The driver tested positive for methamphetamine after the crash.
The accident occurred when the driver, Jerry L. Hickman, was approaching a bridge on U.S. 65 in Arkansas. His truck had a blowout on his left-rear tire, causing his load of logs to shift. His trailer overturned and spilled the logs onto the roadway, injuring 16 workers, and killing two.
Even though the accident was caused by a tire blowout, prosecutors claim that “the moment Jerry Hickman took the wheel high on methamphetamines, his log truck became a weapon of destruction.”
Additionally, the document charging Hickman states that, “A person commits negligent homicide if he or she negligently causes the death of another person… as a result of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.”
Hickman pled guilty to two counts of negligent homicide, 10 counts of first-degree felony battery, and six counts of second-degree felony battery. He will serve two consecutive sentences of 20 years in prison, one for each of the men who died.
Source: thv11, hastingstribune, arkansasonline, nwaonline
Sean says
Good these drivers on the roads doing drugs should all be locked up
Irvin Zimmerman says
Serves him right! It is because of aholes like him that I have to WASTE a couple of hours of my time every year to take random drug tests. I have never done illegal drugs in my 40+ years & randoms aggravate the living CRAP OUT OF ME!!
James says
But yet Irvin, a drunk driver runs into a truck causing a huge crash, the driver of the trucks burns to death in the truck and he only gets 6yrs for vehicular homicide. Fairness here?
mike says
TO Jim and Irv ,there is no fairness but the guy in the construction zone had notification and should have slowed to a point where he could have stopped if necessary . Both incidents are horrific but one is worse. The lesser of two vils gets off with a slap on the hand .
Mike says
So, an accident that is ruled, no fault of the driver results in a 40 year prison sentence for the driver?
The driver shouldn’t have accepted the plea deal. He good lawyer would have been able to get a not guilty verdict from a jury. Drivers need a legal defense fund so proper legal representation can be obtained.
Steven says
First of all mike the driver was under the influence of DRUGS which is a class A felony.He should never had gotten behind the wheel of any vehicle let alone a loaded truck.that blow out was a result of failure to do an inspection on his tire tread and pressure.tire pressure is the number 1 cause of all blow outs.If you look at the tires and equipment of these log trucks,they are a moving violation.the driver got what he deserves, 40yrs.I have NO remorse for him,because of his illegal use of drugs(DUI).
Mark Pain says
Agreed! It was determined that he was not at fault so he never should have plead guilty!
knuckles says
that seems a little extreme. but then again truckers must be held accountable for the murderous bushwacking crimes that we all commit!
tim says
TO mike. Where does it say he was speeding? If he had slowed to a crawl the truck tire would have still blown out causing the load of logs to shift.Except for the fact he had the drug in his system he probably would have just gotten tickets .Did they even say how much drug was in his system? Just a trace is enough to get you convicted in a case like this.I dont condone the use of illegal drugs or alcohol while getting behind the wheel But unless he was still under the influence enough to be impaired, the sentence is excessive.They should also be going after the tire manufacturer,the trucking company, and the making of the equipment that broke letting the logs loose. And I used to be a highway construction worker too!
Steven says
Tim,meth is illegal no matter how you look at it.it can carry in the upwards of 10yrs+.holding a CDL can and will carry more jail time since you all are under federal regulations when you get behind a commercial vehicle and I don’t care if it’s a pickup or a semi,as long as you have a DOT# attached to it you can and will fall under federal rules
donald says
I agree that is excessive. People who commit murder get less time, and they intended to kill.
Steve palmieri says
If you are a commercial driver this a good example of why you just can’t do drugs. Even if off duty. Just a trace would be enough to get you jail time even if someone drove into the back of you’re rig while legally stopped at a traffic light. It may not be fair. But it is the law. Whenever there is a fatality or a vehicle has to towed away in an accident there will be a drug test.
Kenneth says
It’s amazing on how we as drivers, doctors or your everyday citizen is held highly accountable for our negligence but here it is police are shooting people unlawful left and right and nothing happens.
Bill says
That’s ridiculous
Roger says
Sorry Kenneth, it seems you stumbled onto the wrong posting forum. Just saying, brother…
dave says
i don’t condone the driver using amphetamine….but how many students use
it to cram for tests…overweight people to curb appetite…someone trying to
work overtime without falling asleep. If the guy was a wired-out “speedfreak”
that’s one thing but if he had some emergency “pep pills” to prevent falling asleep at the wheel, that’s another. Again, I don’t condone the “pep pills”….I
don’t think the drug test differentiates between amphetamine and methamphet-
amine….I used “bee caps” occasionally and they worked for a few hours in a pinch (that’s a hint to any drivers crazy enough to use amphets).
This poor guy goes to work, doesn’t cause the accident, and ends up with
a 40 year!!! sentence..his life is ruined. Anyone want to be a trucker?
I Z says
Dave, I spent 8 yrs otr, 6 with my own authority, I do not pity the man AT ALL, he used illegal drugs & Got behind the wheel.
Some people say it is none of my business if they us drugs, it does not affect me, so I guess he needs to suck it up.
BA says
didn’t know that swift has logging trucks