St. Cloud Charging Driver in Fatal Semi Crash

ST. CLOUD -- The St. Cloud City Attorney's Office is charging an Owatonna semi driver stemming from a fatal crash last March.

Last week the Benton County Attorney's Office declined to press felony charges against James Cockram citing a lack of evidence for a conviction. The matter was referred to the city of St. Cloud which can charge drivers with misdemeanor traffic crimes.

The city is charging the 61-year-old Owatonna man with misdemeanor Reckless Driving and another count of Careless Driving which are the highest available offenses the city can prosecute in the case.

Cockram was driving the semi on Highway 10 March 18th when he rear-ended the taxi which was waiting at a red light. The crash happened at the intersection of Highway 10 and East St. Germain Street.

The crash killed the cab driver, 66-year-old Thomas Findlay of Sartell and a passenger, 22-year-old Emily LeTourneau of Big Lake. Another passenger, a 24-year-old New Hope woman suffered serious injuries and was taken to St. Cloud Hospital.

The Minnesota State Patrol said at the time there was no indication Cockram took any action to avoid the collision.