Owner Of Truck In Fatal Crash To Go On Trial | News

Owner Of Truck In Fatal Crash To Go On Trial

The Associated Press,

May 7, 2008, 10:48 AM EDT

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Testimony has begun in the insurance fraud trial of the Windsor man whose dump truck caused a fatal crash at the base of Avon Mountain in 2005.

Seventy-two-year-old David Wilcox went on trial in Hartford Superior Court on Wednesday. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and his attorneys are expected to argue that he believed the truck was insured on the day of the crash.

Wilcox and his wife, Donna, were charged with trying restore coverage on the truck minutes after learning about the accident, but not telling the insurance agent what happened. His wife has pleaded no contest and awaits sentencing.

Authorities say an apparent mechanical problem caused the truck driver to lose control coming down the hill on Route 44 in Avon. Four people died and 19 others were injured after the truck slammed into a line of cars waiting at a traffic signal.

Wilcox is also facing a separate trial on manslaughter charges. He has pleaded not guilty.