Trucker Charged In South Central PA Crash In Conewago Township

(2/28/2012) – According to the Hanover Evening Sun, the man accused of causing a four-car accident in Conewago Township, while driving without a license, waived his right to a preliminary hearing and will see his charges move forward to county court. Rodrigo Vagner Chillogallo-Malacatus appeared in Adams County Central Court last Wednesday morning to sign paperwork and to agree, through a Spanish interpreter, to a March arraignment.

The investigation into the trucker so far reveals that Chillogallo-Malacatus, a citizen of Spain, is charged with a third-degree felony count after police say he caused a Valentine’s Day truck accident on Route 194 that injured others while driving without a valid license. He also faces one count each of careless driving and driver required to be licensed, both summary offenses.

Also in question is the driver’s legal status after police determined he’s a citizen of Spain and in the United States illegally. Police said Chillogallo-Malacatus left the United States in July of 2011 with the proper passport stamps, but did not subsequently get the required stamp to return and remain in the country. Despite this background, Chillogallo-Malacatus was traveling toward Littlestown around 5:30 p.m. in a white box truck, in the area of VCA Conewago Animal Hospital. He lost control of the vehicle “for unknown reasons” and crossed the yellow line, striking two sport-utility vehicles traveling in the opposite direction toward Hanover, police have said.

The resulting wreck sent the driver of one sport-utility vehicle to York Hospital via helicopter and the driver of the other to Hanover Hospital via ambulance.

Two people in a fourth vehicle subsequently struck by one of the sport utility vehicles were not injured. The box truck is registered to UST Transportation, of Lawrenceville, N.J., and it’s believed it was being used for mattress delivery for Sleepy’s.

Why was an interstate trucking company employing the driver? Why was a national mattress company employing a trucking company which allows an unlicensed driver to operate interstate trucking routes? These are surely issues that will be investigated.
Chillogallo-Malacatus is set for a March 27 arraignment.

For more information on the investigation and crash see the Hanover Evening Sun.

The Pennsylvania personal injury attorneys with Schmidt Kramer Injury Lawyers can answer any questions you may have if you are injured in a car accident or car wreck with a truck in Harrisburg, Central Pennsylvania and around the Commonwealth, especially if you have been seriously injured by another driver’s negligent or reckless conduct.

Scott B. Cooper
Schmidt Kramer PC
209 State Street Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 888-8888
scooper@Schmidt Kramer.com

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Truck Driver Charged In South Central Pennsylvania Crash In Conewago Township