A 32-year-old Belfast man pleaded not guilty in Sardinia Town Court Wednesday on a charge of first degree vehicular manslaughter in an October accident that killed his four-year-old son.
Erie County Sheriff's Department Police Services Chief Scott Joslyn says a later blood test on Kevin McCabe showed illegal drugs. The incident occurred when McCabe's pickup truck hit a turning truck on Route 16.
"Mr. McCabe failed to recognize this vehicle making a right hand turn and actually drove into the rear end of the tractor-trailer and became attached to the tractor-trailer," Joslyn explained.
"As the tractor-trailer continued to pull in and make its right-hand turn, would actually pull this mid-size pickup truck which was attached to the rear of the trailer into the driveway."
Investigating deputies say there is no evidence McCabe ever tried to stop. He was seriously injured and his eight-year-old niece was seriously injured.
The investigation took three months before McCabe was arrested.
