Ontario trucker sentenced to 3 1/2 years in crash that killed NY state trooper

FONDA, N.Y. – A Canadian truck driver who fatally injured a state trooper who had pulled over another driver on the Thruway has been sentenced to 3 1/2 years in state prison.

Gary Blakley of Ridgeway, Ont., pleaded guilty in April to aggravated criminally negligent homicide.

The 66-year-old trucker was charged in the death of 35-year-old Trooper David Cunniff near Thruway Exit 27 in Amsterdam in December 2013.

Blakely’s rig crashed into Cunniff’s patrol car.

Cunniff’s widow, Amy Cunniff, spoke at the sentencing Tuesday, saying her husband was the most humble and gentle person she ever knew.

The couple had two sons.

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