sponsor




 
Homepage > Pittsburgh News
E-Mail News Alerts
Get breaking news and daily headlines.
Browse all e-mail newsletters
Related To Story

Driver Sentenced For Chipper Crash That Killed Dad, Kids

POSTED: 9:29 am EDT May 22, 2007
UPDATED: 6:07 pm EDT May 22, 2007

Last year, a Cranberry man and two of his three triplets were killed when a wood-chipper broke free from a truck and slammed into their minivan on Route 8 in Richland Township.



Watch the ReportCrash

The driver of the truck, Bradley Demitras, 35, of Pine Township, was sentenced Tuesday to nine to 18 months in prison and six years of probation on involuntary manslaughter and other charges.

"All I can say is I am sorry," Demitras said during sentencing. "I know that sounds like the hollowest thing in the world, but I am sorry."

Prosecutors said the chipper came free from Demitras' truck and went into the opposing lanes, killing Spencer Morrison and his 4-year-olds, Alaina and Garrett, on April 13, 2006.

Demitras pleaded guilty in March and acknowledged that the chipper wasn't properly hooked up to his truck before he left work.

Demitras also pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment for critically injuring the third triplet, Ethan, who survived.

Widow Nichole Morrison told the judge that her pain is immeasurable. She described having to explain to her 5-year-old who asks often, "When are they coming home, mommy?"

She asked that Demitras be sentenced to the maximum consecutive sentence allowed by law.

"I don't think you need to be punished to the maximum period," Allegheny County Judge Lester Nauhaus said. "I just think you need to be punished."

"You see about this accident and you say, 'What kind of moron would do this?'" said defense attorney Pat Thomassey. "And then the person walks into my office, and I just didn't find him to be a monster. I found him to be just a regular working guy who gets up every day and goes to work."

During his probation period, Demitras must talk to trucking companies about the laws of the road.


Related Links:
More County News

RSS Headlines | Breaking News Alerts



Links We Like
Want to make your home look better in an instant? Find out how to get instant curb appeal. More

If you’re feeling like you’re not doing what you’re supposed to, take this quiz and take control of your working destiny. More

Packing can be a long and tedious process. Learn how to maximize your time and get all of your stuff packed and ready to go.More

Thinking of buying a foreclosed home? Find tips, trends and more before you buy, at the Foreclosure Resource Center. More


Like online video? Then you'll love Now See This.

Links We Like includes a selection of information, tools and resources from our partners and sponsors.
O.J. Simpson was arrested at the Palms Hotel in connection with an alleged armed robbery in a hotel room at the Palace Hotel.
A memorabilia dealer who profited from O.J. Simpson for many years contends in a new book that Simpson confessed to killing his ex-wife. More
Slideshow | Interactive | Special Section

PhotoVote
This week's PhotoVote contest, "Pets In Action 2"
Plus, navigate through our archives.
Favorites: Cute Kittens | Odd Couples | Oops
Sponsored Links