Driver Pleads Guility For Fatal Utah Car Accident Caused By Texting
A Utah resident faced negligent homicide charges for distracted driving in the midst of increasing debate about a Utah cell phone and text messaging ban for drivers. According to The Herald Journal, Reggie Shaw was charged with two class-A misdemeanor charges after causing an accident that killed James A. Furfaro and Keith P. O’Dell. Shaw, a 21-year-old, was driving his pickup truck on Valley View Highway near mile marker 101 when he crossed the center line and struck a Saturn LS2. The car was thrown into an oncoming Ford F250, killing Furfaro and O’Dell.
As authorities investigated the case, they requested Shaw’s cell phone records. According to court documents, the records indicated that Shaw was text-messaging at the time of the accident. Officials said that the last text message was sent as Shaw crossed over the center line. Shaw entered a plea agreement in Utah’s 1st District Court Monday afternoon, January 26, 2009.
Please remember the dangers of all forms of distracted driving, but especially the threats posed by text-messaging. Research indicates that a driver’s control of the vehicle is reduced 90% when he/she is text-messaging. Simply turn off your cell phone before getting behind the wheel. All Utahns deserve safer roads.
