If you read that headline, you might think you know the whole story. After all, we’ve heard it before ad nauseum: a teenage driver gets on his phone to send a text and, in so doing, looks away from the road for a split second and causes a catastrophic car accident. But that’s why this story of a fatal accident is such an important reminder for every driver in the country.
It happened on a Wednesday in early June on a highway in Utah near Salt Lake City. Around 3:45 p.m., a Plymouth Neon that was waiting at a traffic light was rear ended by a Nissan Rogue going approximately 50 miles per hour. The reason? The driver of the Nissan Rogue was busy cleaning her eyeglasses and wasn’t paying attention to the road. A 15-year-old boy, who was sitting in the backseat of the Neon, was killed, while the driver and front seat passenger suffered serious injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital. According to reports, the distracted driver was not significantly injured in the crash.
Police are conducting an investigation and are contemplating possible charges for the driver of the Rogue. It’s a tragic case and a stark reminder of the incredible dangers of operating a vehicle while distracted.
If you have been affected by the negligence of a distracted driver, a Louisiana attorney may be able to conduct his or her own investigation of the crash to file a wrongful death suit. If negligence can be proven, victims may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs and pain and suffering.
Source: ksl.com, “Distracted driver caused fatal crash on Bangerter Highway, police say,” Ben Lockhart, June 10, 2015
