Truck Driver Pleads Not Guilty in Fatal I-91 Crash

A log truck driver has pleaded not guilty to negligence in an Interstate 91 crash that killed a Florida man last year.

The Valley News reports Mason Morissette, of Woodstock, Maine, entered the plea on Tuesday to a felony charge of gross negligent operation of a vehicle with death resulting and a misdemeanor offense in Winsor Superior Court. He faces up to 17 years in prison if convicted.

Police said 54-year-old David Stefanik, of Shalimar, Florida, pulled his truck into a breakdown lane in Norwich in August because he had a flat tire. Police said 24-year-old Morissette sideswiped the truck, killing Stefanik.

Police allege Morissette was texting before the crash.

Morissette is due in court March 7. He and his attorney declined to comment on the charges.