Semi driver in I-465 crash that killed mom, twin toddlers gets 9 years

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Nearly one year after the fatal crash that claimed the lives of a mother and her twin toddlers, the semi driver who earlier this year pleaded guilty but mentally ill in the incident has been sentenced to nine years in the Indiana Department of Correction.

Bruce Pollard was sentenced Monday in Marion Superior Court, Criminal Division 1. His January guilty plea included three counts of Level 5 felony reckless homicide, one count of Class A misdemeanor reckless operation of a vehicle in a highway work zone and seven counts of Class A misdemeanor reckless driving.

According to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, Pollard is believed to have been traveling at 65 mph in a 45-mph construction zone on Interstate 465 on July 14, 2019. According to witnesses, Pollard changed lanes and failed to brake when he struck Alanna Koons’ stationary vehicle.

Koons and her 18-month-old twins, June and Ruby, were killed. Several others were seriously injured in the seven-vehicle crash.

“The Koons family experienced a heart-wrenching tragedy with the loss of Alanna, June and Ruby,” Prosecutor Ryan Mears said in a news release. “As drivers on our roadways, we have the obligation to be vigilant and observe traffic and warning signs to keep motorists and road workers safe. Mr. Pollard’s failure to do so resulted in devastating consequences.”

Pollard, of Sturgeon, Missouri, did not heed multiple information and warning signs for several miles before reaching the northside construction zone, Mears’ office said. He was charged days after the fatal crash.

A defense lawyer had initially sought a psychiatric evaluation of Pollard, who was found competent. He’ll now serve his sentence in a DOC facility with access to mental health resources.

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