Trucker Sentenced in Soldier's Death
By Stacey Creasy
Pilot News
PLYMOUTH � Matthew L. King will spend the next 45 days behind bars for his role in an accident that took the life of Jonathon Ross.
Marshall Superior Court No. 1 Judge Robert Bowen sentenced King, 45, of Hastings, Neb., to four years in prison as part of a plea deal in which King pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of a fatal accident.
Bowen suspended three years and nine months of the prison term. King was ordered to he Marshall County Jail Friday to begin serving his time. Bowen also sentenced King to two years reporting probation, suspended his driver�s license for 180 days and fined him $1 plus court costs.
The prosecutor�s office does not agree to a plea deal until the victim�s family has been notified.
T he accident took place between 3 and 4 a.m. June 29.
Ross, 21, of Walkerton, was home on leave from the Army when he was killed. Ross had just left a local drinking establishment and opted to walk home. He was walking along US 6 near Walkerton when King struck him with his semi-truck. King fled the scene and later turned himself in after his company advised him to obtain an attorney.
Marshall County Prosecutor Curt Palmer said King admitted to panicking and leaving the scene.
King allegedly told police he was driving down US 6 when he saw a man wearing a white shirt and blue jeans, walking along the highway. King also stated he attempted to swerve to avoid hitting Ross, but struck the young man.
King said he panicked and did not stop to check on Ross or contact police.
King told Palmer he came back after his conscience �was getting the better of him.�
Ross� family and friends knew something was wrong when he failed to show up for a party in his honor the following night.
They began looking for Ross and found him in a ditch off US 6 near Walkerton. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Marshall County Coroner John Grolich declared the death a homicide.
Investigator Lt. Detective John Van Vactor discovered parts from a truck near Ross� body. The parts were traced and matched to a newer-model Volvo semi tractor.
Several days later, King, who was accompanied by his attorney, turned himself in.
In addition to his funeral in Walkerton, a special memorial was held in Ross� honor at his Army base in Germany.
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