Trial set in wreck that killed teen girl

By The Daily Progress Staff

Published: August 28, 2008

A truck driver from Waynesboro involved in a wreck that killed an Albemarle teenager on U.S. 29 will face a jury early next year.

Kenneth Barbour, 54, appeared this morning in Albemarle County Circuit Court to solidify who would be his attorney. Public Defender James Hingeley confirmed in court that he would be representing Barbour, who requested a bench trial for his case.

However, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney John Zug requested a one-day jury trial, which was later scheduled for Feb. 11.

Police have said that Barbour was driving a tractor-trailer May 9 for Don B. Swisher Trucking Corp. north on U.S. 29. He didn’t stop for a red light, authorities said, and hit a car driven by 16-year-old Sydney Aichs. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

“It certainly is a complicated case … at least from the defendant’s point of view,” Hingeley said in court.

In June, a grand jury charged Barbour with involuntary manslaughter and reckless driving. Zug said in court this morning that there were three eyewitnesses to the accident.