A Michigan semi-truck driver accused of killing three Utah motorcyclists, in March, told the police that high winds caused him to drive in the wrong direction and crash into two vehicles.
Claude Rafiki, 29, was driving on State Route 163, near Las Vegas, when he allegedly crossed over the center line and hit two motorcycles - one of which was carrying an additional passenger. The victims - all from Saint George, Utah - were Owen Hart, 22, Athena Faye Taylor, 21, and Jeremy Gebo, 44.
Rafiki was initially charged with a DUI and three counts of reckless driving resulting in death. The DUI charge was later dropped, according to KLAS.
A wind advisory was issued on the day of the accident. Weather forecasts warned that gusts could reach 55 miles per hour, according to KLAS.
Rafiki is scheduled to appear in court on April 25 - he remains in custody on a $500,000 bond.
