A Lewes man charged in the accidental death of Delmarva media magnate Tom Draper says he was not at fault for Draper’s death in September 2017.

Michael Abram, attorney for Shawn Armstrong, 38, said in his opening statement that Armstrong saw Draper riding his bicycle down the shoulder of Slaughter Neck Road near Slaughter Beach about 7:30 a.m. Abram said Draper swerved into the travel lane before Armstrong had time to react.

After being struck by Armstrong’s F-150 Ford truck, Draper was thrown off the bike and into a nearby bush. Draper, 76, sustained serious injuries that caused his death.

Deputy Attorney General Kevin Gardner said Armstrong was not paying attention behind the wheel when he struck Draper.

Whether Armstrong was inattentive is the primary issue in the trial, which got underway Sept. 10 before Judge E. Scott Bradley in Delaware Superior Court in Georgetown, with a jury of seven women and five men, and two alternates.

Both sides agree that Armstrong’s truck struck Draper and that afterward, Armstrong stopped his vehicle, got out and called 911 for help.

Armstrong is facing charges of operation of a vehicle causing the death of another person and inattentive driving.