A jury decided not to indict a truck driver for his part in a fatal crash that killed a police officer in Waldwick, New Jersey over a year ago.
Officer Trying To Nab Speeders Killed In Crash
The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m in July of 2014 when officer Christopher Goodall was sitting in an unmarked vehicle on the shoulder of the road running radar for speeders on the highway. Driver Ryon Cumberbatch was transporting produce for J.B. Hunt when his truck veered off the road and struck Goodall’s car, pushing it into a retaining wall of a nearby house. The truck then jackknifed and part of the truck ended up in the basement of the house. Goodall was killed during the crash.
Cumberbatch was not hurt during the crash and called 911.
Driver Says He Didn’t See Unmarked Vehicle In The Dark
Cumberbatch told his wife that the crash was an accident, that it was dark and he simply didn’t see the unmarked vehicle, which did not have emergency lights on at the time of the crash.
Authorities charged Cumberbatch with reckless driving and failure to maintain a proper lane, as well as vehicular homicide. Cumberbatch denied guilt in the crash and was released after posting bail.
The jury sided with Cumberbatch in choosing not to indict him for vehicular manslaughter, but he will still have to go to court for the seperate charges of reckless driving and failing to maintain his lane.
Sources:
CBS New York
Bergen Dispatch
North Jersey