Drugged-driving trial begins for Raymond Ragen, accused of slamming cement truck into school bus while high

A Nassau jury heard opening statements Wednesday in the trial of a cement truck driver accused of slamming into a school bus while high on prescription drugs.
Police say Raymond Ragen drove his cement truck into an overpass on a Matinecock road and crashed into a school bus, killing the driver, injuring an attendant and four young special-needs children.
Prosecutors told the jury that they will present witnesses who will testify that not only was Ragen high on valium at the time of the crash, but that he also knew his cement truck would not fit under the overpass. Ragen's defense attorney says police will testify that his client was not deemed to be under the influence of anything at the time of what he calls "an accident."
Ragen is facing multiple charges, including aggravated vehicular homicide and aggravated vehicular assault.
The trial will continue on Thursday.