Semitrailer driver pleads not guilty in crash death of Town & Country firefighter

WOOSTER − The Florida truck driver accused of causing a crash that killed a Town & Country firefighter in 2022 is due back in court next month.

Edyt Hernandez, 41, pleaded not guilty earlier this month to one count of vehicular manslaughter, a misdemeanor in the second degree, in the death of fire Lt. Philip Wigal, according to Wayne County Municipal Court records.

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Hernandez, a resident of Hialeah, Florida, is awaiting his trial, which is now set for April 17. Wayne County Municipal Court Judge Michael Rickett has set another court hearing for March 2.

If convicted, Hernandez could face up to 90 days in jail, a fine of $750, and a driver's license suspension of three months to two years, said Angela Wypasek, Wayne County prosecutor.

A message seeking comment was left Friday with his attorney.

A fatal crash on I-71 in Congress Township

Hernandez was heading south on Interstate 71 in Congress Township in a semitrailer on April 11.

Investigators said his vehicle struck a parked fire engine involved in an ongoing traffic crash investigation along I-71. The fire vehicle was partially blocking the right lane and shoulder while emergency crews helped out at a prior crash, according to court records.

After hitting the fire vehicle, the semitrailer went off the right side off the road and struck a parked Highway Patrol cruiser, the vehicle involved in the initial crash and Wigal. The vehicle in the initial crash was pushed, injuring a Highway Patrol trooper.

Wigal died at the scene. The trooper was hospitalized for injuries that were not life-threatening.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Semitrailer driver pleads not guilty in death of Lt. Philip Wigal