DOVER, NH : Trial begins for man accused in Barrington crash that killed 2 on Friday, 23rd September 2016

A trial has started for a man charged with negligent homicide in a fatal crash three years ago.John Shaw, 51, is accused of being intoxicated when his car crossed the center line on Route 202 in Barrington and collided head-on with a car carrying a 77-year-old minister and his wife, killing them both.

Prosecutors told the jury Friday that two people died because Shaw violated basic trusts everyone counts on to keep people safe on the roads.

"There is an odor of alcohol emanating from Mr. Shaw, which is obvious to those who are coming in contact with him, even though he's sitting outside his vehicle," Strafford County Attorney Thomas Velardi said in opening statements. "He is inquired of about this, and he readily admits that he's had a few."

Shaw faces charges of negligent homicide and possession of a controlled drug tied to the death of Joel and Maxine McLain. The McLains were driving back to their home in Maine when they were hit.

Prosecutors said Shaw played golf that day, then ate dinner and drank before heading home around 11 p.m.

Velardi said Shaw's car shot across the road like a missile before the impact, but defense lawyers suggested that the McLains' car might have drifted into oncoming traffic, and Shaw tried to make a move to avoid a collision.

"No one can tell you what occurred in the microseconds or seconds preceding the accident, and it was a terrible accident," defense attorney Stephen Jeffco said.

But Velardi said Shaw's actions were no accident.

"This was, in fact, something that was entirely preventable," he said. "It just took some basic common sense and care by Mr. Shaw to not have allowed it to happen."

Testimony is expected to last until the end of next week.

Source :
Trial begins for man accused in Barrington crash that killed 2