The semitruck driver police accused of causing a fatal crash on Interstate 75 on Mother’s Day now faces a more serious charge, officials said.
The collision killed two men — Lane Smith, 23, and David Huggins, 61 — at the scene. Lane Smith’s son, 22-month-old Sawyer, suffered severe burns from the impact and died seven days later.
Authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Joseph Antoinier, charging him with reckless vehicular homicide, according to East Ridge Court Clerk Patricia Cassidy. She said by phone the new charge is a more serious offense than the earlier charge he faced for critically injuring the child.
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Antoinier’s attorney, Bret Alexander, asked East Ridge City Judge Tracy Cox on Tuesday to issue a criminal summons instead of a new arrest warrant. The summons would have allowed Antoinier to remain free while awaiting his court date Sept. 16, Cassidy said. The attorney also asked for Antoinier’s driver’s license to be returned to him. The clerk said the judge denied both requests.