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Posted: March 8, 2007

Trucker Acquitted in Fatal I-40 Wreck

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A truck driver charged in a fatal accident on Interstate 40 three years ago has been acquitted of a death by vehicle charge.

Ken Pittman's tractor-trailer slammed into two eastbound cars on I-40 between the N.C. Highway 751 and Fayetteville Road exits in July 2004. The crash killed Kevin Meyer, who ws driving one of the cars, and shut down the interstate for nine hours.

Pittman was held responsible in court for the accident back in 2005 and was given a suspended jail sentence and a fine.

Pittman appealed and was found not guilty after a jury trial. A witness testified during the trial that Meyer's car darted in front of Pittman's truck.

RELATED TOPICS: Fayetteville

Copyright 2011 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Hope this raises awareness that everyone should give trucks the safety zone in front of them that they deserve. Just because a big-rig is leaving 10 car lengths open between him and the car in front of him doesn't mean he is leaving you a space to merge over in front of him, it is called a "safe following distance," something that most drivers not only in NC but around the country seem to have forgotten from driving school. I'm sorry about Mr. Meyer's death, but hopefully if this point gets out it will not have been in vain. The same goes for pick-ups or other trucks pulling fifth wheels or trailers. They DO NOT have the same stopping distance as the family car.
norwinfischer
March 9, 2007 6:53 a.m.
No, this didn't turn out right. Kevin Meyer did NOT dart in front of the truck, as eyewitnesses pointed out at both trials. Where was this other witness at the first trial? Good question. I have plenty of respect for truck drivers, but in this particular instance there was simply no question as to who was at fault, and this verdict adds insult to mortal injury.
mrzeau
March 8, 2007 5:11 p.m.
It figures. He left the scene of the crime and no charges. Gotta love this state. "Let's get our truckers liscence to kill"
drakeg59
March 8, 2007 5:09 p.m.
My husband is also a truck driver and when a car cuts them off you still have at least a hundred feet of braking before you can completely stop. People the truck is bigger than you. Please think.
latanya512
March 8, 2007 4:32 p.m.
praying for all involved as well as all postings.
Click to view my profile 2alegal
March 8, 2007 4:07 p.m.
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