ROCKLAND — A truck driver facing manslaughter charges after an accident in March killed two people made an initial appearance in court Monday.
Randall J. Weddle, 54, of Greeneville, Tennessee, did not enter a plea at his appearance in Knox County Unified Court in Rockland.
He faces a maximum of 60 years in prison for the crash, in which the flatbed of his 1998 Freightliner loaded with lumber slid into the oncoming lane on Route 17 in Washington when it rounded a corner just west of Fitch Road.
Weddle’s truck began to roll onto its left side as it continued around the corner. As it rolled, three of four vehicles heading east were hit by the trailer.
The vehicles included a 2009 Chevrolet Colorado operated by Paul Fowles, 74, of Owls Head. Fowles’ car went off the road and rolled down an embankment. A 2014 Nissan driven by Tracy Cook, 51, of Union, was struck and also went off the road.
Cook’s vehicle rolled over and struck a 2015 Kia driven by Tracy Morgan, 33, of Washington.
Fowles was declared dead at the scene. Also killed in the accident was Christina Torres-York, 45, of Warren.
Weddle remains in Knox County Jail in Rockland on $100,000 bail following his arrest May 6 in Virginia on charges of manslaughter and aggravated operating under the influence. According to an investigative report, Weddle had alcohol in his system and was speeding at the time of the collision.
Investigators learned at the time of the collision Weddle had a suspended license in Louisiana, and his right to drive in Virginia had been revoked. He retained an active driver’s license in Tennessee.
Weddle’s attorney, David Paris, said he will reserve a bail argument after he talks with his client. The matter is expected to be presented to the Knox County grand jury before Weddle’s next court date in July.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
