Charges to go forward in construction worker killed case

WSLS News Staff
Published: May 15, 2008

Updated 8:01 p.m.

There’s little question whether Tracie Nininger and Jeffrey Dupree hit the backhoe that pinned Richard Slone to his dump truck, but based on Thursday’s preliminary hearing, the defense may build its case around who’s at fault.
Nininger and Dupree sat quietly, making few facial expressions, and taking a lot of notes.
Their attorney’s tried to prove the blade of the backhoe was actually sticking out into a lane of travel when they hit it. 
Roger Hawks was directing traffic when the accident happened.
He admitted he was trying to stop traffic, because he was worried the backhoe was in the lane of travel.
The prosecution used diagrams to show the judge how the site was marked and asked officers who were on the scene if Nininger and Dupree were intoxicated.
“[Nininger’s] eyes were blood shot.  I could smell the strong odor of alcoholic beverage,” said one officer.
“[Dupree] then stated a-i, f, g, r, o, n, p, x, t, w, u, r, x, t, x, y, z,” said another officer.
After more than three hours of testimony there’s little conclusion – only more questions that will hopefully be answered when this case goes in front of the grand jury.

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Updated 6:09 p.m.

Slone’s family says Nininger and Dupree should have been more careful going into the construction zone

A major point of controversy, whether a construction worker supposed to be directing traffic was holding a STOP/SLOW sign out when the accident happened.

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Updated 5:33 p.m.

The judge found Tracie Nininger and Jeffrey Dupree guilty of DUI, and sentenced them to 12 months in jail.  Both Nininger and Dupree plan to appeal.

The involuntary manslaughter charges are both were certified to grand jury.

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Two people charged in connection with a crash that killed a construction worker in Roanoke County are in court this afternoon for a hearing.

Tracie Nininger and Jeffrey Dupree both face involuntary manslaughter and DUI charges in the death of Richard Slone.

The crash happened on Route 419 back in February, just past Tanglewood Mall, in the early hours of the morning.

Police believe Nininger’s Hummer SUV hit a backhoe, and pinned Slone between the backhoe and a truck.  Then Dupree’s vehicle hit the back of Nininger’s SUV, resulting in the death of Slone.

In court this afternoon, two construction workers testified about the crash.  They told the court that the blade on the back of backhoe was in a lane not blocked off by cones, and that Nininger hit that blade.

10 On Your Side’s Lindsey Henley is at the courthouse.  She’ll bring you an update on what was said tonight on WSLS at 5:00, 5:30, and 6:00 p.m.