Jury to decide case of truck driver who killed farmworkers in crash
Good morning, Salem.
Jurors headed back to their deliberation room around noon on Tuesday to decide the fate of a California trucker who caused one of the most horrific crashes to ever occur in Marion County.
Seven farmworkers were killed and three were seriously injured when Lincoln Smith plowed his semi truck into their van on the shoulder of Interstate 5 on May 18, 2023. The impact crushed the van into another semi truck.
Three of the surviving victims continue to suffer from serious injuries 20 months later.
Smith admitted to using methamphetamine and cocaine the night before the crash. Prosecutors alleged during his criminal trial that he was “coming down” from his drug use when the crash occurred, but his attorneys argued that he was no longer impaired at the time.
Court records indicated that jurors had not reached a verdict as of Tuesday evening.
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