THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 14, 1995 TAG: 9507140448
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
DATELINE: SALISBURY LENGTH: Short : 32 lines
The state Department of Motor Vehicles alleges that a trucker involved in a wreck that killed four over the weekend on Interstate 85 falsified his logbook.
The state Highway Patrol charged Glenn Pointer, 40, of Gloucester, Va., with four counts of misdemeanor death by vehicle in the Saturday pileup.
Authorities have not yet disclosed how long they believe Pointer had been driving before the accident. The DMV considers logbook violations serious.
``It is a safety factor,'' said Capt. Mark Stabler of the DMV. ``One of the key factors in safety . . . is being alert and having reflexes in good shape.''
Stabler said regulations require truckers to take regular breaks. Truckers may drive up to 10 hours a day, but must then take a break of eight hours without interruption; or drivers may work a 15-hour shift, including no more than 10 hours of driving, before taking a break.
The DMV also said Pointer's rig had defective brakes.
An inspector from the Department of Motor Vehicles checked the rig after Saturday's accident and ``found the brakes were worn out and in a state of disrepair.''
KEYWORDS: ACCIDENT TRAFFIC FATALITY by CNB