Driver charged in fiery fatal crash says problem with semi forced him to stop on I-94

FARGO — A driver charged in connection to a

fiery deadly semi crash close to Mapleton, North Dakota,

stated his semi skilled an issue that compelled him to cease, in keeping with a prison criticism.

Yuhai Zhu, 52, of Richmond Hill, Ontario, appeared Friday, March 17, in Cass County District Courtroom on felony costs of negligent murder and reckless endangerment. He faces 5 years in jail for every cost.

The costs stem from a Wednesday semi crash that killed 72-year-old Randall Buxton from New Westminster, British Columbia. Zhu’s 2014 Volvo semi was stopped in the proper westbound lane of Interstate 94 about 2 miles west of Mapleton when Buxton slammed into Zhu’s semitrailer with a 2000 Peterbilt, in keeping with a prison criticism.

The 2 autos grew to become engulfed in flames, forcing authorities to close down the westbound lanes of I-94 for eight hours. Eastbound lanes have been closed for one hour.

Zhu was hauling inexperienced antifreeze fluid, and Buxton was transporting giant HVAC gear.

Zhu was not injured, however Buxton died on the scene.

Passing motorists reported Zhu was stopped on the interstate earlier than the crash, in keeping with the criticism. Legislation enforcement have been responding to Zhu’s stopped semi when the crash occurred, the criticism stated.

Zhu instructed a state trooper that an issue together with his semi compelled him to sluggish to a cease, although he didn’t know what the difficulty was, the criticism stated. He stated he thought he had pulled over to the shoulder, in keeping with the criticism.

Video confirmed the semi slowly coming to a cease, giving Zhu “ample alternative” to tug over to the aspect of the street, a state trooper stated within the criticism.

Zhu additionally didn’t use emergency triangles to warn different drivers he was stopped, the criticism stated. A passing driver who reported the stopped semi stated it was arduous to see the trailer’s lights as a result of it was soiled, the criticism stated.

Zhu is being held on the Cass County Jail on a $5,000 money bond. His legal professional, Challis Williams, declined to touch upon the case.

April Baumgarten joined The Discussion board in February 2019 as an investigative reporter. She grew up on a ranch 10 miles southeast of Belfield, N.D., the place her household raises Hereford cattle. She double majored in communications and historical past/political science on the College of Jamestown, N.D.