CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The driver of a garbage truck has been found not guilty of charges resulting from a 2018 accident in which his truck was hit by a chartered Amtrak train carrying Republican members of Congress, resulting in the death of one person aboard the truck.
Dana Naylor Jr., 31, was acquitted of involuntary manslaughter in the Jan. 31, 2018, crash, which came when the truck was hit a grade crossing in Crozet, Va., by the train carrying congressmen to a retreat at The Greenbrier resort in West Virginia. [See “Amtrak special for members of Congress strikes truck in Virginia,” Trains News Wire, Jan. 31, 2018.] The decision came after five hours of deliberation by jury last week, the Daily Progress newspaper reports.
An additional charge, maiming under the influence, was dropped after the judge in the case ruled some blood evidence and scientific testimony was inadmissible.
Christopher Foley, 28, was killed in the accident and another passenger was severely injured.
The prosecution claimed Naylor had driven around crossing gates at the accident site, while the sole witness called by the defense claimed she had seen the gates malfunction frequently during her three years living near the accident site.
