Hon, do you live in Texas, too? I do - I have done a lot of work up around Wichita Falls. I have dealt with the long arm of the law in Texas. I KNOW that there are times that, thankfully, they move very fast here. It's one of the things I like about Texas. I am glad that justice was swift. It's hard to accept, sometimes, because they can hand down a much more "fair" verdict (rather than the one that is deserved). But, in the long run, no matter what the bull hauler got...it will never change what it did to you and your family - whether he got a slap on the wrist or the death penalty. He WILL have consequences. Everyone does - some good, some bad - for every decision that everyone makes, there are consequences. I think you might be a very strong woman. I was listening to a song on XM last night...I had it on a country station and I NEVER listen to country but that is beside the point...the song was by Brad Paisley and it's called..."Waiting on a Woman"...for some reason, it brought your situation to mind. I hope that you stay strong and continue your life, just as your husband would wish for you. Love is a powerful thing. Good Luck to you and, if people question, don't get upset....this is an inquisitive bunch. I am happy that the bull hauler didn't drag this on endlessly. To me, that appears to be remorse on his part. His family may never reach out to you but probably because they don't know how or they might be afraid that they couldn't handle your reaction. When it gets rough, breathe in very deeply and exhale slowly...if you ever need to talk, there are a lot of people here that are good listeners. I am new and never had the honor of knowing your husband. But, if you need anything, let someone know...including me.

 

I don't see anyone doubting you...it was a legit question regarding the legal proceedings because in most cases, particularly serious ones, the system does not move that quickly. Usually it takes a year or more. But I'm glad it moved so quickly...all the better to put it behind you. Again, best of luck.

 

Big D, she means Prosecuting Attorney as her lawyer. This was a criminal trial, you won't have a personal lawyer there to prosecute only to defend you. You don't hire an attorney to prosecute in a criminal trial. Prosecuting Attorney will sometimes talk with the victim/victim's family about the plea bargain and see what the family thinks before agreeing to it.

Now for a civil, like suing this former driver, that would be a personal lawyer that you hire. She probably misspoke above in your view Big D, but I understood what she was saying.

 

Drew: Thanks for the link. Obviously, I am not a newbie here, but somehow I missed this thread.

Steelhaulers wife: LIke all others here, I am so sorry for your loss! This is a tragic event. We ALL know that trucking is a dangerous profession. Most times, it is the 4wheelers that cause these accidents. But, for it to be another trucker, is just twice as hard for us to swallow!

I'm glad that justice was swift, if that helps you heal sooner. And heal you MUST do! Steelhauler would WANT you to! He knew the odds.

He is in a better place, but he won't be at peace until he knows YOU are.

As truckers, those with families, they know they are putting YOU at risk, moreso than themselves. But, they do what they do FOR you! I'm sure his last thought was one of YOU!

None of my business, of course, but are there children left behind? If so, I pray for the peace of understanding for you AND them. SteelHauler would want ALL of you to be at peace. And he would be proud that you came on here to seek understanding and support from his brotherhood.

This is something that we hope we never have to do. Regardless of the petty fights and joking around, we are all brothers and sisters here. And now, if you want, you, too, are one of us! And you always were!

I hope you will take the time, when it is available, to stick around. You are in the unique position to offer valuable advice to new drivers here concerning the importance of safety in this industry.

It is not encumbent on you to do so, but perhaps your insight will save the life or career of another on this board. A petty trade for your loss, no doubt, but an honorable purpose, nonetheless.

I am not one who prays. But, I will keep you and yours in my thoughts. There are no Purple Hearts for those who die in the service of trucking. The government will not hand you a flag. But, as you can tell, you have the hearts and thoughts of all on this board. IF your burden EVER becomes more than you can bear, we are here for you.

We owe that to HIM. We owe that to YOU. And we owe that to ourselves!

Hobo

 

BD. I'm very surprised that you didn't pick up on that from the start. As knowledgeable as you claim to be in soooooo many other areas, I would have thought you would just naturally have picked up on that without any prompting. In ANY criminal proceeding, THE STATE IS THE PLAINTIFF. The State files the charges, and takes over the case. They stay in contact with the victim or victim's family and take into consideration the family's wishes and emotions, but it's the State's case. The defendant must hire (or be assigned) an attorney. And, if it had not become a plea-bargain, it WOULD still be dragging on. Obviously, the defense attorney realized there was no way to win.

Steelhauler, I'm very sorry at your lose. I hope you will be able to move on without too much difficulty.

 

Up in Tacoma WA, when you are summoned for Jury Duty, you have the pleasure of being in the Jury Pool for a period of 2 weeks. They do that, because of the lack of interest in the public ingeneral, in serving for jury duty.

In 2000 when I was doing my 2 week service, I was picked as #4 juror for a murder trial. It took 3 days to get to the point in the trial where we actually were seated in the court room, to hear a witness testify.

The "scumbag" on trial sat there looking at us, with a snear on his face, while we all waited for his "EX" to walk into the courtroom. She was seated and testifying, on this piece of garbage's abuse towards her, for over 4 hours. When "we" came back from lunch, the jury sat in the "Jury Room" for 3 hours, before the Clerk of Court came in and gave us dinner vouchers and told us the case had "Plead Out". We were released back into the jury pool for the next mornings proceedings.

That sucked. The only murder trial I ever got picked for, and Scummie plead out after his lawyer heard from his EX.

A friend whom I worked with at Arco, was picked for a murder trial in Seattle. He was "sequestered" for 7 month's. The guy had fled to Brazil, after a group of firefighters had been killed in an arson blaze he set, at his family's food warehouse there in Seattle. That particular Scumbag plead out 2 days before the jury would have rendered their verdict. I forget his name(the Scummie...."Arthur" maybe?)...but he was Asian...and his "Extradition" was in the national news...because Brazil didn't want him given the death penalty. That was back in the mid-90's.

 

Up here it is required by law for the crown attorney to talk to the family before even considering a plea bargain.

There was a case up here a few years ago, drunk off duty cop hit and killed a woman at a red light. Cops bungled the investigation, he got 2 years house arrest.

 

What's the name of the company that works in between Coleman tx and Ardmore okl that hauls parts and wind turbines? Also they runs between Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and California. I saw you posted they paid $ 2.50 per mile including fuel surcharges.