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Last updated on Monday, July 30, 2012
(SALEM) - The man driving a pickup truck which crashed, killing an Amish man whom the driver was transporting, has been charged with reckless homicide, a Class C felony.
Stephanie Taylor Ferriell, of the Leader-Democrat reports, the man driving a pickup truck which crashed, killing an Amish man whom the driver was transporting, has been charged with reckless homicide, a Class C felony.
James C. Lundergan, 25, 603 N. Rush Creek Rd., Salem, was arrested on a warrant last week.
If convicted, Lundergan faces between two and eight years in prison, with the presumptive sentence being four years.
On the evening of May 18, Lundergan was driving Daniel Girod, 27, and Matthew Schwartz, 23, home from work. Lundergan was driving westbound on Walker Road, a gravel road which runs between Franklin School and Garrison Hollow roads. After crossing a bridge, he lost control of his 1999 Ford F150 and overcorrected, causing the truck to roll over one time.
According to the report filed by Sheriff's Deputy Joe Keltner, Lundergan failed to attempt to slow the vehicle, even when he began losing control of it. Keltner found accelerating slide marks that began in a straight stretch of the road and continued all the way around the curve.
"There appeared to be no apparent evidence showing that James ever stopped accelerating the vehicle before it turned over," the report states.
Schwartz told officers Lundergan "was driving a little fast, showing off his truck, making the rear of the vehicle slide back and forth across the gravel road."
Lundergan also said it was the first time he had ever driven on Walker Road.
Girod was ejected from the truck and was pronounced dead at the scene from injuries sustained in the crash. None of the occupants were wearing seat belts.
The evidence reveals that Mr. Lundergan was driving recklessly and that resulted in the death of the victim," said Prosecutor Dustin Houchin. "It's certainly tragic for everyone involved."
Lundergan remains incarcerated at the Washington County Detention Center.
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