25 year sentence for trucker watching video on phone at time of fatal crash

A truck driver has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for a deadly crash in Kentucky nearly two years ago. 

The accident happened in September 2019 on Interstate 64 in Franklin County, Kentucky. 

According to WKYT News, Jerry Elder was driving along I-64 watching a video on his cell phone when he crashed into a Jeep, killing one passenger and injuring another. Elder also sustained injuries to his shoulder in the wreck. 

Elder was sentenced to 25 years in prison on August 13th, 2021. He is charged with second-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault and first-degree wanton endangerment.

At the sentencing, prosecutors recommended a 10 year sentence for manslaughter, a 10 year sentence for each of the assault charges, and a five year sentence for each of the wanton endangerment charges. 

Elder must serve a minimum of five years before he is eligible for parole.