Truck Accident Kills Firefighter – Driver Found Guilty
September 30, 2020: The Hanover County Circuit Court has ruled on a terrible Truck Accident that occurred on October 11, 2018. The crash resulted in the tragic death of Hanover County Fire & EMS Lieutenant Bard Clark, and injuries to several other firefighters. The judge found the truck driver, Lester Labarge, guilty of involuntary manslaughter, as well as reckless driving and Mr. Labarge is now facing 11 years in prison.
Circuit Court Judge, Patricia Kelly, presided over the two-day trial which included testimony from 19 witnesses, some of whom were other firefighters that were injured in the accident.
The accident details revealed that the truck driver made the reckless decision to drive at night during Tropical Storm Michael. Not only were the conditions poor, but he was also driving at an unsafe speed. This resulted in Labarge losing control of his truck, causing it to hydroplane across the road, smashing into the rear of the firetruck.
While the driver’s defense attorney tried to argue that the accident was “a tragic event” and nothing Labarge did was careless, the prosecutor hammered home the fact that the known conditions and his speed were reckless and unsafe.
The judge agreed with the prosecution and sentencing will take place on January 13, 2021.
Hilton & Somer, LLC: Truck Accident Attorneys located in Fairfax and licensed to practice in Virginia, Maryland and in the District of Columbia
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Learn more about how our attorneys can help you, contact Hilton & Somer, LLC at (703) 560-0700 for a free consultation about your truck accident.
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