The truck driver could face a 7-year prison sentence if he accepts a plea deal from prosecutors
TRENTON - A dump truck driver who pushed a car into a lake in a crash, killing the person inside, was offered seven years in prison as part of a plea deal Friday.
Daniel Everett, 40, of Westhampton, would have to plead guilty to assault by auto in exchange for the lesser sentence. He was initially charged with vehicular homicide for the crash.
The offer comes nearly two years after Everett was driving on the Brunswick Pike in July, 2014. He rear-ended a Nissan Altima that was stopped at a light near Lake Drive, pushing the car into the water.
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The car was submerged in Colonial Lake and its driver, 59-year-old James McLean, was killed.
Witnesses have said Everett was driving erratically and speeding prior to the crash. Prosecutors have said he had four accidents the day of the crash.
His attorney has said he was suffering from erratic blood sugar and that Everett recalled very little of the events from the night before the crash until the day after.
Everett has until his next status conference in August to accept the deal. If he does, he will have to serve at least 85 percent of the seven-year sentence.
Anna Merriman may be reached at amerriman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @anna_merriman Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.