Sweet Tomatoes trial: Testimony begins in deadly Newton pizza shop crash

The driver accused of causing a fatal crash at a Newton pizza shop is on trial.

Brad Casler is accused of causing the crash at a Sweet Tomatoes restaurant that killed two people and injured several others. Investigators say he was speeding back in March 2016, when he plowed into the front the restaurant, killing Gregory Morin and Eleanor Miele. Several others were seriously injured.

>> Driver indicted for Newton Sweet Tomatoes deadly crash

Opening arguments began Thursday morning.

In opening statements, prosecutors told jurors Casler was speeding before the crash, but later told a different story to first responders.

"He did admit to causing the crash, that he said he was only driving about 20-25 mph, that he told her that his brake was stuck," said Asst. DA Christopher Tarrant.

But Casler's defense attorney Tom Giblin said his client suffers from multiple sclerosis, and a medical emergency caused him to lose control.

"It's an accident. It's a sudden medical emergency," said Giblin.

Prosecutors charged Casler with two counts of motor vehicle homicide. For more than a year Giblin tried to negotiate a deal that would have kept his client out of prison, but Giblin said prosecutors were unwilling to take jail time off the table.

>>PREVIOUS: Casler too sick for prison, attorney testifies

The trial will continue Friday and is expected to be very emotional for the families as the prosecution is going to on first responders.

More Sweet Tomatoes crash coverage:

• 2 killed after SUV crashes into Newton restaurant
• Firefighters describe scene of deadly Newton crash as complete chaos
• Photos from the scene
• Families of 'Sweet Tomatoes' crash victims speak in court

Cox Media Group