Lawyer: Truck that slammed into minivan, killing four, accelerated on its own

Police identified the family killed when a truck slammed into their minivan Saturday, and the lawyer for the man driving that truck said his client is devastated.

“You can only imagine how one would feel having been behind the wheel of a car and killed a family,” said Samuel Halpern.

Halpern represents Paul Streater, 21. Police said Streater’s Chevy Silverado swerved into a turn lane, hitting a minivan belonging to a family vacationing in Delray Beach.

The victims have been identified as Jorge Claudio of Argentina, his sister Veronica Raschiotto of Mexico, and her two children, Diego, 8 and Mia, 6.

Witnesses said the Silverado was going almost 100 mph when it hit the minivan.

“His truck just accelerated. He tried to stop, he couldn't stop,” said Halpern.

Streater told Halpern pumping the brakes had no effect on the truck’s sudden acceleration. The truck continued accelerating even after he hit the minivan - pushing it into oncoming traffic. Both vehicles hit a Buick Enclave, whose two occupants were also injured.

Halpern said Streater’s passenger who was injured as well, corroborated his story that the truck accelerated on its own. Halpern said such acceleration happens more often than people realize.

“Possessed - the car was possessed and there’s nothing you can do about it,” he said.

Streater’s blood was taken at the scene and Halpern said he was not drinking or under the influence of drugs, and is cooperating with police.