Arizona trucker charged in mulitple-fatality crash
The Trucker News Services
3/13/2008
PRYOR, Okla. — Trucker James Craig Buchholz, 53, of Mesa, Ariz., has been charged with four counts of misdemeanor negligent homicide in connection with an accident on U.S. 69 here Sunday.
Buchholz was arrested at Mayes County Medical Center on Monday and was released Tuesday after posting $20,000 bond.
Court records reflect that Buchholz told investigators he didn’t know what happened in the wreck and that he might have fallen asleep before his big rig hit the Crown Victoria, killing a family of four.
Dead are Melissa Anne Hayes, 41, Robert Lester Hayes, Jr., 52, and their sons, Cody Hayes, 14 and Tyler Hayes, 15, all of Joplin, Mo.
According to reports, the car was stopped at a traffic light when it was struck from behind by the big rig.
Pryor Police Sgt. Brent Crittenden said the truck was traveling at a high rate of speed, but he wouldn’t speculate as to how fast. An accident reconstruction report will be released later.
The impact ruptured the gas tank in the car, sparking an inferno which destroyed both
vehicles.
Crittenden said a blood sample was taken from Buchholz and given to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation for tests.
If convicted, Buchholz faces up to one year in county jail on each count and/or a fine of $100 to $1,000.
