A Ukrainian man who cannot speak English but was driving a commercial truck when it plowed into vehicles at a Thomasville intersection was granted an interpreter for court at the cost of Alabama taxpayers.
Andrii Dmyterko, 46, is charged with two counts of homicide by vehicle and two counts of criminally negligent homicide.
Beloved Wilcox Academy coach Woodie Earl Beck III, 53, and Jack’s worker Ashley Marie Springer, 37, were killed on May 6 as they were sitting at the intersection of Highway 43 and South Industrial Park Drive. Dashcam video captured the moments the 18-wheeler slammed through traffic. Court documents suggest the driver may have been distracted by a cell phone.
Dmyterko was in the United States on a work visa and was employed by 4 US Transportation Company at the time of the crash.
Thanks to the heroic actions of bystanders, a third – a woman from Tuscaloosa – was pulled from the fiery wreckage of her vehicle.
SEE: Dashcam video shows fiery Thomasville crash; Truck driver on work visa charged with manslaughter
During a settlement hearing in the case, an interpreter was necessary because attorneys for Dmyterko said it was necessary for “effective communication.”
According to a court order, the interpreter was paid $120 an hour “plus other allowable, reasonable and necessary expenses,” for the November 14 court appearance.
The costs are paid from the State General Fund.
Dmyterko is considered innocent until proven guilty.
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