Guest Post by Miriam Judith
Back in March, an African Immigrant semi-truck driver tragically killed three people when he recklessly weaved in and out of traffic while driving on the wrong side of a Nevada highway.
He has since been arrested and faced trial, receiving the seemingly light sentence of 4 to 10 years in prison.
Claude Rafiki, pleaded guilty to charges after he fatally struck three motorcyclists near Laughlin, Nevada including a newly engaged couple, Athena Taylor, 21 and Owen Hart, 22. The other victim was identified as Jeremy Gebo, 44.
According to a Nevada State Police Highway Patrol trooper, Rafiki was not driving in the lane that is required for semis traveling through the state.
Documents released by 8 News Now, show that Rafiki possessed a valid Michigan commercial driver’s license, however it was set to expire the following day and he never submitted his updated medical clearance which is required by the state.
Although there weren’t any medical issues on Rafiki’s medical certification that would restrict him from driving, the prosecutors did reveal that he was taking medication for epilepsy.
Prosecutor Yu Meng explained how Rafiki’s dashcam footage showed him recklessly weaving in and out of traffic for 10 minutes before the fatal crash. He also added that prosecutors believe he manipulated his logbooks to appear as if there were two drivers that were rotating shifts.