St. Cloud, MN (KROC-AM News) - A truck driver from Owatonna has been sentenced to 30-days in jail and a year on probation for causing a horrific traffic crash in St. Cloud a little over a year ago.

62-year-old James Cockram was driving a semi-truck that slammed into the back of a minivan that had stopped for a red light. The 66-year-old driver of the smaller vehicle and a 22-year-old passenger were killed in the crash on March 18th of last year. The collision was so violent the crumpled minivan was pushed 450 feet down Highway 10 before coming to a stop.

A witness told the State Patrol the truck was moving at highway speed and the driver made no effort to slow down. The State Patrol says Cockram told St. Cloud Police he may have dozed off just before the deadly crash occurred.

Cockram pleaded guilty two months ago to a misdemeanor traffic offense through a plea deal that led to the dismissal of a careless driving charge, which is also a misdemeanor. If he fails to meet the terms of the plea agreement, he could face another 60-days in jail.

 

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