On Monday, April 8, 2025, Arthur Waldrip was sentenced to 15 years, with the first six to be served in custody, after pleading guilty to Vehicular Homicide in the First Degree in Bibb County Superior Court on Monday, April 7, 2025.
Waldrip, a commercial truck driver with decades of experience, was responsible for the tragic death of 70-year-old Clifford Scott, a beloved pastor from Macon, on April 30, 2020. Evidence presented in court included video footage from inside Waldrip’s truck showing him adjusting his radio with his eyes completely off the roadway for approximately 20 seconds before the fatal collision occurred. The video footage revealed debris exploding from Mr. Scott’s vehicle as it was crushed by the impact of the multi-ton truck driven by Waldrip.
Distracted driving caused truck driver to kill Clifford Scott.
“In those 20 seconds of distracted driving, a life was lost,” said Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney Anita Howard. “This case serves as a somber reminder of the devastating consequences that can result from even momentary distracted driving.”
During sentencing, the Court calculated that Waldrip traveled a distance greater than a football field with his eyes off the road. The judge emphasized the dangers of distracted driving, particularly when operating large commercial vehicles.
The defense had requested a sentence of two to three years in custody, while ADA Michele Harris of the District Attorney’s Office argued for the maximum 15-year sentence with 10 years to be served in custody.
