A truck driver involved in a wreck that “sandwiched” a van and left seven people dead is now facing multiple charges for the serious wreck.
52-year-old truck driver, Lincoln Smith, was arraigned on Friday, May 19th for the Thursday wreck that killed seven and injured four. Smith is facing multiple charges including manslaughter, driving under the influence, reckless driving, and assault.
According to USA Today, Smith was heading north on Interstate 5 when his rig left his lane and struck the Ford van with 11 people inside. The force of the impact then pushed the van into the back of another tractor trailer. Witnesses say that Smith’s rig was swerving on and off the road before the wreck, and that the truck did not even hit the brakes before striking the van.
Charging documents allege that Smith was under the influence of a controlled substance and an inhalant at the time of the wreck. He refused a field sobriety test and was unable to focus or answer basic questions. At some point, Smith admitted to taking “speed” the day before the wreck, and was in possession of methamphetamine and inhalants.
Smith had been arrested 17 times in California prior to the Oregon wreck, including nine previous convictions. The convictions range from burglary to providing false information.
Smith is scheduled to appear in court on May 30th. The judge did not set bail.