Felony dropped against New Jersey trucker who caused eight-vehicle pileup
A felony charge against a New Jersey man who caused an eight-car pileup was dropped Monday, Nov. 7.
Holmes County Prosecuting Attorney Steve Knowling said a charge of aggravated vehicular assault was dropped against Theodore Glancy Jr., 60, of 334 Elm St., Elwood, after it was determined that construction signs posted at the site of the accident did not have the sufficient language to meet statutory requirements.
Knowling said the statutory language for aggravated vehicular assault requires signs notifying motorists that penalties for traffic violations are steeper in a construction zone. The crash occurred in a construction area, where a line of six vehicles were stopped for one lane traffic.
While the area was marked as a construction zone with orange signs, the signs advising increased penalties were not present, Knowling said. Without the specific signage, the aggravating factors for a felony are non-existent in Glancy’s case, Knowling said.
“I feel I can prove Mr. Glancy was speeding in a construction zone, but I’m not satisfied I can prove that he was reckless,” Knowling said. “I’m not happy about it. We can’t prosecute this particular individual to the extent that he should be prosecuted.”
Knowling said he brought the charges against Glancy with the belief the proper signage was in place.
Knowling said the statute further states that serious physical harm to an individual was caused as a result of Glancy’s actions. That half of the charge was met when Robert J. Harris, 54, New Philadelphia, was hospitalized and “had to undergo several surgeries,” Knowling said.
According to Holmes County Sheriff’s reports, the charges stem from an eight-vehicle crash Sept. 12 on state Route 39. The crash occurred at 8:45 a.m. while six vehicles were stopped for single-lane road construction in the westbound lane of state Route 39. Glancy, driving a 2000 Mac semi carrying a load of steel, was westbound and rear-ended a car driven by Harris. Harris, who was at the end of the line of cars, was spun into eastbound traffic coming out of the construction area and was struck by a dump truck.
After striking Harris, the semi continued westbound and ended up with its left front wheel atop the passenger side of a 2001 Hyundai.
Harris was hospitalized after the crash. Three other persons injured in the crash were treated at area hospitals.
Aggravated vehicular assault is a fourth-degree felony and carries a penalty of up to 18 months in prison.
The charges against Glancy included one count of assured clear distance, a minor misdemeanor offense. Glancy pleaded no contest to the charge in Holmes County Municipal Court and was fined $150, plus court costs.
Holmes County Prosecuting Attorney Steve Knowling said a charge of aggravated vehicular assault was dropped against Theodore Glancy Jr., 60, of 334 Elm St., Elwood, after it was determined that construction signs posted at the site of the accident did not have the sufficient language to meet statutory requirements.
Knowling said the statutory language for aggravated vehicular assault requires signs notifying motorists that penalties for traffic violations are steeper in a construction zone. The crash occurred in a construction area, where a line of six vehicles were stopped for one lane traffic.
While the area was marked as a construction zone with orange signs, the signs advising increased penalties were not present, Knowling said. Without the specific signage, the aggravating factors for a felony are non-existent in Glancy’s case, Knowling said.
“I feel I can prove Mr. Glancy was speeding in a construction zone, but I’m not satisfied I can prove that he was reckless,” Knowling said. “I’m not happy about it. We can’t prosecute this particular individual to the extent that he should be prosecuted.”
Knowling said he brought the charges against Glancy with the belief the proper signage was in place.
Knowling said the statute further states that serious physical harm to an individual was caused as a result of Glancy’s actions. That half of the charge was met when Robert J. Harris, 54, New Philadelphia, was hospitalized and “had to undergo several surgeries,” Knowling said.
According to Holmes County Sheriff’s reports, the charges stem from an eight-vehicle crash Sept. 12 on state Route 39. The crash occurred at 8:45 a.m. while six vehicles were stopped for single-lane road construction in the westbound lane of state Route 39. Glancy, driving a 2000 Mac semi carrying a load of steel, was westbound and rear-ended a car driven by Harris. Harris, who was at the end of the line of cars, was spun into eastbound traffic coming out of the construction area and was struck by a dump truck.
After striking Harris, the semi continued westbound and ended up with its left front wheel atop the passenger side of a 2001 Hyundai.
Harris was hospitalized after the crash. Three other persons injured in the crash were treated at area hospitals.
Aggravated vehicular assault is a fourth-degree felony and carries a penalty of up to 18 months in prison.
The charges against Glancy included one count of assured clear distance, a minor misdemeanor offense. Glancy pleaded no contest to the charge in Holmes County Municipal Court and was fined $150, plus court costs.
Published: November 7, 2011
