This news story originally provided by The Courier Journal News

March 9, 2005

Coal truck in wreck well above weight limit

Family mourns minister's death

By Alan Maimon
amaimon@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal

On Sunday, the Rev. Lonnie Preece told his Eastern Kentucky congregation that life can end suddenly, his sister-in-law said.

On Monday, the 55-year-old Inez man was killed when his pickup truck was hit head-on by a coal truck that police say was running at nearly twice the allowed weight.

As investigators examine the role weight played in the crash, lawmakers in Frankfort last night rejected a bill that would have increased weight limits for a range of mineral-hauling trucks. Among the issues in House Bill 8 was whether heavier trucks are safe.

Gravel- and sand-industry officials say trucks carrying their rated weight stop and maneuver as well with or without their top payload.

Kentucky State Police Detective Eddie Crum said the truck that killed Preece was running at more than 150,000 pounds but was designed to handle just 80,000 pounds. In addition, the road, Ky. 40, was rated for just 60,000 pounds.

"I would say excessive weight was definitely a contributing factor," Crum said. "There's no way around it."

Betty Marcum, Preece's sister-in-law, said she hoped the coal truck driver would face criminal charges.

"He took away a good man," Marcum said. "I want to see this guy punished."

Donnie Preece, the victim's twin brother, said coal and other trucks have long been a nuisance in his community.

"They know they're running overloaded, and they just can't get them stopped," he said.

No criminal charges have been filed against the coal-truck driver, Charles Wiley Jr., 27, of Blacklog, who was not injured.

Wiley was cited on suspicion of driving an overweight truck, a traffic violation that carries a minimum fine of about $60 but often reaches hundreds of dollars.

Wiley and the Pike County coal company for which he was hauling could not be reached for comment yesterday. Crum said he did not yet know the name of the company.

Crum, who plans to complete his report on the collision in the next two weeks, said he would forward the results to prosecutors, who would determine whether to file charges.

"That's not my call, but I don't expect it to be anything criminal," Crum said.

Tony Skeans, assistant commonwealth's attorney for Martin County, declined comment on the case.

The crash occurred at about 9:30 a.m. Monday on a straight stretch of road near Warfield when Wiley, who was westbound, swerved into Preece's eastbound lane to avoid rear-ending a stopped car, Crum said.

Crum said it appeared that Wiley did not brake before his truck struck Preece's pickup.

But Crum said the vehicle's excess weight likely affected the truck's steering and maneuverability.

Preece, a retired coal miner and avid fisherman who was married and had two adult children, was on his way home from the county garbage dump when the crash occurred, Marcum said.