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Motorist charged for causing wreck that killed truck driver

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.— A motorist accused of causing a tanker crash that killed a New Hampshire truck driver is headed to court for a pretrial hearing.

Victor Aponte has pleaded not guilty to negligent motor vehicle homicide and reckless operation in the 2008 crash that killed 43-year-old Aaron Staelens, of Richmond, N.H.

Prosecutors say Aponte caused a chain reaction accident on Interstate 91 in Chicopee on March 28, 2008. Staelens veered into a guardrail. His tanker truck, which was carrying more than 10,000 gallons of fuel, exploded into flames.

Aponte is due in Hampden Superior Court on Thursday for a pretrial hearing.

Jerry Breeden of The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at [email protected] .

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