Local

Man found guilty in crash that killed 2 boys

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A jury found truck driver Dirk Brown guilty of two counts of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle Friday.

As the verdicts were read, the parents of Kadrien Pendergrass and Jeremy Brewton Jr. broke down crying. The two boys were hit and killed in west Charlotte last year.

The parents told Eyewitness News that the verdict is only partial closure as they continue to mourn the loss of their two boys.

"This trial has been difficult for them, reliving the experience and seeing evidence in court," said Ben Royster, from the District Attorney's office.

Friday morning, the jury heard closing arguments.

"That's what this case is, an accident, not a crime," said Defense Attorney Mark Foster.

Foster told the jury that Brown was cautious, but the children and their father were walking on the wrong side of the road and Brown didn't see them.

Foster reminded the jury that a witness testified that Brown stopped and looked both ways before turning and that he had both hands on the steering wheel.

"He tried to do everything he could to be careful, despite that, this happens. This could happen to anyone," said Foster.

But the prosecution said the evidence shows Brown should have seen the family.

"They are not here today because the defendant failed to take due precautions that we ask of every single citizen," said Royster in his closing arguments.

Brown's family broke down in court when he was handcuffed and led to jail.

The judge sentenced him to 60 days for each death, 120 days total.

Eyewitness News tried to speak with Brown's family after court. They told us they had nothing to say.