Truck driver sentenced after Kittery accident that killed Maine couple

A tractor-trailer driver has been convicted of two counts of manslaughter in connection with a 2021 crash on the Maine Turnpike that killed a Falmouth couple. David Herring, 42, formerly of South Portland, was also recently convicted of causing the deaths of Geoffrey and Elizabeth Gattis by crashing his vehicle into their car, York County District Attorney Kathryn Slattery announced. Prosecutors said Herring was streaming Netflix on Jan. 12, 2021, while driving north on the turnpike in Kittery, ignoring signs warning of traffic delays. Herring's tractor-trailer was traveling 57 mph when it struck the Gattis' vehicle, which was traveling 3 mph, prosecutors said. On Sept. 13, Judge Richard Mulhern sentenced Herring to 10 years in prison, with all but five years suspended. That prison sentence will be followed by four years of probation for each count of manslaughter. “We are deeply sorry for the loss the Gattis family has suffered. Distracted driving is a serious problem in Maine and, in this case, resulted in a tragedy that could have been avoided,” Slattery said in a statement. “We hope this verdict raises awareness of the importance of paying attention to your surroundings and not being distracted by phones or other devices while driving.” Herring had told a police officer that he was listening to the audio of the Netflix stream and not watching the video.