The driver facing negligent homicide charges in a 2018 crash that killed a 20-year-old Concord man is scheduled to face a judge this week as his case nears trial.
Joseph Leonard Jr., 37, of Derry is expected to appear Thursday in Merrimack County Superior Court in Concord for a final pretrial conference. Jury selection is slated to begin Oct. 8.
A trial date does not rule out the possibility of a last-minute plea deal between county prosecutors and Leonard, who is charged in connection with Tyler Shawโs death in Bow on April 30, 2018. Pending the resolution of the criminal case, Leonard remains out of jail on bail conditions.
A grand jury previously indicted Leonard on three alternative counts of negligent homicide, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in state prison. He also faces one count of aggravated driving while intoxicated.
Prosecutors allege Leonard was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs when he failed to stop at a stop sign at the end of the Interstate 89 Exit 1 off-ramp and collided with Shawโs truck on Logging Hill Road. The crash caused Shawโs truck to roll over onto the driverโs side, partially ejecting him, police said. Shaw, a 2015 graduate of Concord High School, was killed instantly.
The Merrimack County Attorneyโs Office said Leonard was traveling at excessive speeds and was intoxicated when he collided with Shawโs vehicle. Leonardโs blood alcohol content on that night exceeded the legal limit of .08%, prosecutors said.
In the days and weeks after the crash, his friends and family members created a makeshift memorial off Logging Hill Road in Shawโs memory. It quickly became the place where they met to share stories about Shaw and brings items that reminded them of him.
Bow police Chief Margaret Lougee said previously that Exit 1 has been a problem area for some time because of the blind spot near the fork on Logging Hill Road. However, in this case, she said the crash was caused by Leonardโs failure to stop more than anything else.
Beth and Chris Shaw have spoken openly since their sonโs death about their wish for someone to be held accountable.
โItโs just so senseless that 10 seconds one way could take away 50 years of a personโs future,โ Beth said.
She said she felt like her son was just realizing his potential when he was killed.
Shaw was working for a construction company in Bow when he died and had dreams of moving out to Montana with his longtime girlfriend to pursue his HVAC license.
(Alyssa Dandrea can be reached at 369-3319 or at adandrea@cmonitor.com.)