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Driver accused of hitting, killing 2 boys speaks during trial

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The truck driver accused of hitting and killing two children on the side of the road in west Charlotte took the witness stand Thursday.

Dirk Brown said he has suffered every day since the 1- and 5-year-old boys were killed last year.

It was an emotional day for the family of 1-year-old Jeremy Brewton Jr. and 5-year-old Kadrien Pendergrass. At times, the family was sobbing in the courtroom.

The medical examiner testified he found scrapes, cuts and bruises over the boys' bodies.

The prosecution showed the jury pictures of the boys in the morgue.

A witness took the stand to say he saw Brown driving as his delivery truck turned the corner. The witness said he was also driving and slowed to give Brown room to make the turn.

The witness then said he saw the back tire of the truck hit the boys and flip the stroller. The driver said Brown stopped the truck and looked both ways.

Brown said he thought it was safe to pull out and he wasn't on the phone at the time. He said he was upset to see the boys hurt and even more so when he learned they died.

"I was hurt. I'm still hurt. It was an accident. I'm hurt about the whole situation," Brown said.

Court resumes at 9:30 a.m. Friday.