From: schnell@pyramid.unr.edu (Dan Schnell)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro
Subject: Re: Andolsek case: No felony charge
Date: 12 Nov 92 04:01:29 GMT
Reply-To: schnell@pyramid.unr.edu (Dan Schnell)
Organization: University of Nevada Reno

In article <1992Nov6.223541.5352@uts.cc.wayne.edu> delledg@uts.cc.wayne.edu (DeVaughn Elledge) writes:
>Baton Rouge, La.-
>
>   The driver of the truck that killed Lions guard Eric Andolsek will be 
>arraigned on simple traffic charges.
>
>   The grand jury refused to indict James E. Bennett, 34, on vehicular 
>homicide or negligent homicide.
>   Bennett, who was driving a flatbed truck, ran off Louisiana 1 on June 23
>and struck Andolsek as he trimmed his lawn in Thiboduax. He died an hour later
>   Bennett is to be arraigned Monday before District Judge John J. Erny on a
>charge of failure to maintain control, a traffic misdemeanor, state police
>spokeman Hamilton Mixon said Thursday. The offense is punishable by up to
>6 months in jail and a $2,000 fine.
>   According to state police, Bennett fell asleep at the wheel. At one point
>in the investigation they said he indicated he might have been inattentive
>and not asleep.
>
> Personal Comment:
>   On the Network news it was also stated they had found traces of cocaine in
>his urine but they can't determine wether or not it was the cause of the
      I know I'm going to regret this.


      This part of the Andolsek story makes me mad.                          

      IMO, truckers have this image of being cowboys and all-american hard
workin' Joes, but they always get off in court if they're not insane or badly
stoned.  "Since this is the first time you've killed an innocent human, Billy
Bob, you're being let off easy.  Lay off the crack pipe next time, ok?"     

      If those injured by Andolsek's death wanted to, can't they sue?  A jury
might be convinced that cocaine factors into the incident (referred to offi-
cially as "accident").  But how much blood can you get from a turnip?  Because
the trucking industry was deregulated in the name of free trade, most drivers
are independent so there's no Big Company to sue.  The jury sees a poor trucker
who says he's sorry, and not some loaded corporation with lawyers.  More len-
iency extended, most likely.                                                

      I'd sue Mr. Trucker, bankrupt dry, if it were my business. (but it's
not.) Money won't cover it.  It's sad for the victim, his family, the Lions,
fans, friends, teammates,... but the driver?  He'll get a license in another
state so the insurance won't go up, and try to put it all behind him.      

      Isn't it a felony to drive a (commercial!) vehicle under the influence?
Why the hail not?  How about reckless driving?  He's charged with failure to
maintain control.  Implying that he tried to control, but failed?  "It's not
my fault, I tried to control, but as you can see...".  In the last 20 years,
there's less personal responsibility in society.  And legions of drug abusing
truckers have grown, becoming beloved pop culture figures in film, serenaded
in country music.  It might be all linked...                               
                                                                            


 My opinion is mine and only mine, yadda yadda yadda.  
 It's probably full of holes, I failed to control myself.
 Have a nice day, yawl.
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro