A Madison man will stand trial on involuntary manslaughter charges after a preliminary hearing Thursday in Lyon County District Court.
Bruce C. Vanderman is charged in the death of Jerry L. Williams, 52, of Emporia. The action stems from a head-on two-vehicle accident on April 13, 2007.
Vanderman will face a charge of involuntary manslaughter, or alternative charges of involuntary manslaughter and aggravated battery, according to Assistant Lyon County Attorney Rick Buck, who is prosecuting the case.
According to an earlier report of the incident, Vanderman was attempting to pass a semi-tractor trailer when his pickup truck struck Williams’ pickup truck head-on. Williams died from his injuries and Vanderman was taken to Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka for treatment. A passenger in his vehicle, Joshua Vanderman, 11, of Madison, was taken by ambulance to Newman Regional Health. Newman officials then were not able to release information on the boy’s condition or the extent of his injuries.
A Kansas Highway Patrol report of the accident stated that limited visibility caused by dusty road conditions contributed to the accident.
A trial date is expected to be set at a hearing at 2 p.m. June 6.
Comments
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Posted by madpoet (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 3:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, it's about time this came to trial. Hopefully this helps Jerry's family move forward. My heart and prayers go out to them.
Posted by cowboytom (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 8:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let there be justice for the Williams family PLEASE!
Posted by humes1 (anonymous) on April 27, 2008 at 6:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Hear say" is easy to blame the other! Let the Vanderman family have the their side of what happened that day.It,s just as hard on the Vanderman family as well!
Posted by Capricorn (anonymous) on April 27, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's very difficult to lose someone you love, no matter what the circumstances. I know for fact that the Vandermans have been irrovocably affected by this situation too. However, we live in a country that says innocent until proven guilty. The Courts are overwelmed, and are not intentionally dragging their feet. And... NOBODY has the right to prematurely pass judgement until the Courts do sift thru all of the evidence.
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