Genesee County -Looking away from the road for a fraction of a second is a mistake any driver can make, says Genesee County Assistant Prosecutor Ron Higgerson.
For Matthew Woods, 35, it may be considered one of the fatal errors that caused the concrete truck he was driving to collide with a van, killing three family members and seriously injuring another.
Woods, a Grand Blanc resident who drives for Ken’s
Redi-Mix of Goodrich, was traveling southbound on M-15 north of Bristol Road in Davison Township on April 9.
While following behind a pickup truck driven by Clifford Veit, 65, who was attempting to turn left into a driveway, Woods was distracted by a car advertised for sale parked near M-15, he told police.
‘The cement truck driver apparently looked off to the west,? said Higgerson, who handled Woods? preliminary examination Aug. 18 before Central District Judge Larry J. Stecco regarding three counts of negligent homicide.
‘When he glanced back up he tried braking and skidded into the northbound lane, colliding (with the van).?
Veit testified that when he saw in his rear-view mirror the concrete truck was not slowing behind him, he decided not to complete his turn.
Although Woods had told police Veit’s truck was stopped, the discrepancy is not a factor, said Higgerson.
‘Maybe it looked like he was stopped. Mr. Veit testified he never stopped.?
Neither speed nor alcohol is considered a factor in the accident, which claimed the lives of Pamela Doyon of Atlas Township, 36, Sam Doyon, 11 months, of Atlas Township; and Sandra Thrasher, 62, of Orion Township. Max Doyon, 3, was seriously injured in the accident.
Woods could face up to two years in prison if convicted. The prosecution will examine whether his manner of driving affected the accident,
particularly the steering of the concrete truck while braking.
‘The expert (reconstructionist State Police Sgt. Tim Robbins) said in his opinion steering had something to do with it,? Higgerson said. ‘That’s the big contention. That’s what this case is going to be about.?
A warrant was issued June 29 for Woods? arrest. He’s free on a $150,000 personal bond, and is scheduled for an Aug. 30 circuit court arraignment before Genesee Circuit Judge Judith A. Fullerton.