AUGUSTA (AP) – A trucker with a lengthy record of driving offenses entered an innocent plea Friday to a manslaughter charge stemming from a July 29 crash on the Maine Turnpike that claimed a Scarborough woman’s life.

Scott Hewitt, 33, entered the not guilty plea at his arraignment in Kennebec County Superior Court.

Hewitt, of Caribou, also entered not guilty pleas to 11 other counts related to the accident during a hearing before Justice Thomas Warren. Among the charges are operating under the influence while causing serious injury, OUI in a commercial vehicle and operating after his license was suspended.

Hewitt’s case has drawn public attention to the problem of drivers with suspended licenses and repeat offenders getting behind the wheel.

Tina Turcotte, 40, of Scarborough, was killed in the July 29 accident in Hallowell.

At Friday’s hearing, Hewitt’s bail was continued at $75,000 cash or property worth $300,000.

AP-ES-01-27-06 0949EST