Pennsylvania

Truck Driver Gets Prison Sentence in 2014 Crash that Killed Two

The driver of a tractor-trailer that slammed into a line of stopped cars on an eastern Pennsylvania highway, killing two people, has been sentenced to 2 to five years in prison.

The Reading Eagle reports that 51-year-old Steven Bernier of Reading sobbed as he apologized Thursday in Berks County Court to the families of the victims. He said "I'd gladly give my life for them.''

Bernier pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment. Prosecutors withdrew involuntary manslaughter counts. He will be credited with 604 days already served.

Prosecutors said he fell asleep at the wheel before the November 2014 crash on Route 222 in Maidencreek Township that killed 23-year-old Jeremy Augustine of Emmaus and 32-year-old Jane Harakal of Topton. Nine other people were injured.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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