Driver sentenced to 5 years for smashing car while using Netflix

A truck driver has been sentenced to five years in prison for a wreck that fatally sandwiched a car between two semi trucks in slowed traffic. 

The accident happened back in 2021 on the Maine Turnpike near Kennebunk, Maine. Truck driver David Herring was sentenced on September 13th. 

42-year Herring was reportedly listening to Netflix but not watching it when a car suddenly veered off the road in slow traffic. Herring claims that the car’s sudden movement distracted him, which is what caused him to crash into a car with a newly retired couple inside. Herring’s semi truck then pushed the car into another tractor trailer, killing 68-year-old Geoffrey and Elizabeth Gattis. 

Traffic was slowed in the area due to a series of previous crashes caused by an “erratic” pickup truck driver that led police on an extensive chase. Herring and his legal team attempted to have his manslaughter charges dismissed, arguing that he was not actively using his phone at the time of the crash, but were unsuccessful. Herring also rejected a plea deal that would have gotten him 10 years of prison time. 

Herring has since been sentenced to two concurrent prison sentences of five years, once for each manslaughter charge. All but five years of the sentence will be suspended, meaning Herring will spend five years in prison, and spend the rest on probation, reported 13 WGME.

“Distracted driving is a serious problem in Maine and in this case resulted in a tragedy that could have been avoided. We hope this sentence will raise awareness of the importance of paying attention to your surroundings and not to be distracted by phones or other devices while driving,” the York County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement.