Man heads to trial in highway death

WOBURN, Mass. (AP) - A trial is set to begin for a Maine man charged with drunken driving and motor vehicle homicide in the death of a Massachusetts highway worker.

Jeremy Gardner, of Bridgton, Maine, is accused of hitting 57-year-old Gregory Vilidnitsky of Framingham with his pickup truck while Vilidnitsky was working on a paving project on Route 9 in Framingham on Sept. 14, 2010.

Authorities say the 31-year-old Gardner kept driving after he hit Vilidnitsky, only stopping when he struck a parked oil truck.

Police have said Walter Smith, of Barre, Vt., a passenger in the vehicle, climbed into the driver's seat and attempted to drive away. Smith is charged with driving under the influence and is being tried separately.

Jury selection in Gardner's trial is scheduled to begin Monday in Middlesex Superior Court.