A truck driver has been sentenced to three months in jail for an accident that sent a steel coiling rolling into traffic.
The accident happened back in September of 2021, but the driver, Kieth Blackwell, was not sentenced until April 29th, 2022.
According to Journal-News, Blackwell was heading north on US 127 hauling a steel coil through St. Clair Township, Ohio when he was nearly run off the road, causing the steel coil to come loose and roll into traffic. The steel coil then smashed into an SUV driven by Blake Mulder, who was killed in the incident. Blackwell contacted 911 to report the incident, but did not yet realize that the loose coil had caused a serious accident.
After months of investigation by the Butler County Sheriff’s office, Blackwell has been charged with vehicular manslaughter, a first degree misdemeanor; and unsecured load, a minor misdemeanor. Blackwell pled no contest and was found guilty. He has since been sentenced to 90 days in Butler County Jail with 45 days suspended.
Blackwell has also been sentenced to two years supervised community control, ordered to not contact the victim’s family, and required to attend 40 hours of truck driving safety classes. His license has been suspended until September 2023.