VALDOSTA — A man is on trial for the 2017 traffic collision that killed a Lowndes County sheriff’s deputy.

The trial of Robbie Javon Register began Monday afternoon in Lowndes County Superior Court. Register was involved in a vehicle collision that claimed the life of Lowndes County Deputy Michael “Chris” Butler Feb. 25, 2017.

Butler was responding to a domestic violence call on Cat Creek Road. Register was driving a semi-truck and made a right turn into Butler’s oncoming lane, according to reports.

Butler was pronounced dead a short time later at South Georgia Medical Center.

Register is charged with six counts including first degree homicide by vehicle.

The jury heard opening statements from Southern District Attorney Brad Shealy and from defense attorney Bill Folsom.

Shealy asked the jury to find the defendant guilty on all counts after hearing the evidence.

Folsom asked the jury to “find the truth.”

The state called its witnesses throughout the afternoon Monday and the trial is still underway.