WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) - A man accused of driving under the influence of marijuana and causing a crash on the Massachusetts Turnpike that left a state trooper dead is seeking the dismissal of several charges.
Thirty-year-old David Njuguna (juh-GOO’-nyuh), of Webster is charged with manslaughter and related offenses in the death of 44-year-old Trooper Thomas Clardy.
A hearing is scheduled for Monday on a motion filed by Njuguna’s lawyer that argues several of the charges are “duplicative” and there was insufficient evidence to support the charge alleging Njuguna had used marijuana.
Authorities say Clardy had stopped a car for a traffic violation in March 16 when his cruiser was hit by Njuguna’s vehicle. Witnesses say Njuguna’s car had swerved across all three travel lanes without slowing.
Clardy was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
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