November trial slated for fatal crash suspect
Toolbox
Published: August 11, 2009
BENNINGTON – The trial of a New Jersey truck driver accused of causing an accident in Woodford last year that killed three people is set to begin in November.
Kenneth A. Middlebusher, 42, of Deptford, N.J., has been charged with a felony count of grossly negligent operation of a motor vehicle resulting in a fatality.
According to police, Middlebusher was driving a tractor-trailer in Woodford on Route 9 on April 16, 2008.
The truck overturned and hit two other cars. Two of the people in one of the cars, Jeffrey Lamore, 29, of Stamford, and Thomas Peterson, 31, of Readsboro, died that day. The driver of the other car, Paul Beebe, 53, of Brattleboro, died in September.
Police said Middlebusher was driving at too high a speed for road conditions and the truck was in too high a gear for the grade and curve of Route 9 in that area.
The truck was carrying an unsecured load of heavy rolls of paper that police said may have been a factor in causing it to tip over.
Bennington County State's Attorney Erica Marthage said Middlebusher's trial will begin the week of Nov. 12. The first day and possibly part of the second day of that week will be used to pick a jury with the rest of the week scheduled for the trial.
If convicted, Middlebusher could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison.
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