Truck driver charged in fiery crash that killed Salisbury family of four

PRINCETON, W.Va. — A truck driver is facing charges in a fiery crash that killed a family of four from Salisbury.

In April 2017, David and Christine Gilley were driving on Interstate 77 in West Virginia when the truck driver lost control and crashed into them.

[READ MORE: Congregation mourns Rowan Co. family killed in West Virginia crash]

The Gilleys and their two children died at the scene.

Jack, 10, the youngest, was a fourth-grader at Bostian Elementary School. Grace,13, was a student at Salisbury Academy.

West Virginia State Police Sgt. C.F. Kane said 41-year-old Bertram Copeland of Rockford, Illinois, was charged with four counts of negligent homicide and reckless driving.

Kane says Copeland was arraigned in Mercer County Magistrate Court last week and is free on bond.

Mercer County Emergency Management Director Tim Farley said the southbound truck crossed the median, struck the Gilleys' vehicle, rolled onto its side and caught fire.

Copeland suffered several broken bones.

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