Difficulty finding Ukrainian translator stalls Thomasville 18-wheeler deadly crash case

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

THOMASVILLE, Ala. (WALA) - There's no clear time-frame on when the driver of an 18-wheeler that killed two people in a Thomasville crash will have his preliminary hearing.

Andrii Dmyterko who is in the US on a work Visa is from Ukraine. He doesn't speak English.

He's been sitting in the Clarke County Jail for nearly three months without a hearing because there's only one state certified Ukrainian interpreter.

A passenger in the truck, told investigators Dmyterko was distracted, answering a call from his wife.

A crash report said he didn't come to a stop until more than two football fields away.

He's charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter.

This happened in May, but his case is still at a standstill.

Chalea Tisdale, Defense Attorney said, "It does have an impact on my ability to argue any bond motion because the judge can't hear the case until we get an interpreter."

Christine Hernandez, Defense Attorney said, "It's not just an interpreter for my client, it's an interpreter for the court. The court has to be able to ask a question that is verbatim translated and the individual charged has to be able to speak in their language and have it verbatim translated to the court."

Dmyterko's attorneys said there's only one state certified Ukrainian interpreter in Alabama and he's tied up on another case.

Attorneys said a Russian interpreter could possibly work but the court requires strict accuracy.

"Russian and Ukrainian carry a lot of the same basic words, phrases. It's not Ukrainian but it is in the same general category," said Tisdale.

The interpreter also has to be state certified. Becoming a court-approved interpreter requires passing tests, a background check, and paying up to $500.

"We all want this to happen," said Tisdale.

Dmyterko has pleaded not guilty. ICE has a hold on him.