SALEM, Ore. — A California truck driver who killed seven farmworkers in 2023 when he crashed into a van off Interstate 5 in Oregon has been sentenced to nearly 50 years in prison.
Lincoln Smith, 54, was unanimously found guilty by a 12-person jury in February for seven counts of second-degree manslaughter, three counts of third-degree assault, and one count of reckless driving. He was acquitted of driving under the influence.
The jury reached a decision the day after closing arguments, following about 9 hours of deliberation. The trial lasted seven days with five days of evidence. Prosecutors called almost 30 witnesses, while defense attorneys called six, concluding with Smith.
On Tuesday, Marion County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Wren chose to impose the time for the manslaughter and assault charges consecutively, totaling 579 months, or 48 years and three months.
There’s nothing I can say today that’s gonna take away or replace the pain and the loss,” Wren said. “They were just out there working, looking forward to coming home and seeing their families, and now they don’t get to do that because Mr. Smith did not pull over to the side of the road when he realized two hours before that he should have.”
Seven family members of the deceased and the three survivors all shared statements with the court. They spoke about the devastation the crash caused, the emotional and physical suffering they continue to endure, and the ongoing grieving.
Many survivors said they came to the U.S. looking for a better life and were hard workers who always followed the law. Several cried throughout their testimony.
Smith also appeared emotional throughout the proceedings. His lawyers had asked for a sentence of 12 years and six months.
“Mr. Smith never intended to hurt anyone,” defense attorney Tiffany Humphrey said. “He will think about this incident every day for the rest of his life.”
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