A Brooklyn man, Jenmark Ballenger, 29, is on trial this week in Broome County Court for his role in a fiery crash in which Constance Curtin, 60, of Owego and her daughter, Michelle were killed.
Prosecutors allege that Ballenger caused an accident that slowed traffic on Route 17 on March 19th, 2010 and set in motion two other accidents that resulted in the deaths.
He faces charges of criminally negligent homicide and reckless endangerment.
The victim’s 1996 Jeep Cherokee burst into flames after being rear ended by a mini van.
The force of the collision pushed the gas tank into the back seat of the Jeep.
The defense contends that the deaths were caused by the mini van and not Ballenger.
The defendant is currently serving a six year term in prison for bribery of a witness in a Binghamton robbery.
