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Teen Texting While Driving: Crash and Prison Time

Texting is not worth your life or someone else's life.  Your car accident attorneys at William Rawlings have helped families where a family member was killed by a driver texting. A teenager was sentenced to two years in prison and loss of license for 15 years.   He caused a fatal crash by texting while driving. Aaron Deveau, 18, was convicted of motor vehicle homicide by texting – the first driver in Massachusetts to face such charge.   Deveau, pleaded not guilty, was texting when his vehicle swerved across the center and crashed head on into another car.  He struck Daniel Bowley’s truck, killing the 55-year-old father of three.  Bowley suffered severe head trauma and lingered in a hospital for 18 days before dying.

Before imposing the maximum sentence the District Court Judge sent a message of deterrence to drivers.

FACTS OF THE CASE AND CHARGES

Deveau, was 17 at the time of the crash.  He was initially charged with motor vehicle homicide and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.  He was also charged with using a mobile phone while operating a motor vehicle, a marked lanes violation and two counts of negligent operation and injury from mobile phone use.  Deveau said he was distracted by the amount of homework he had to do and sent his last text message while parked in a  parking lot.   Furthermore, he said he left his phone in the passenger’s seat until after the crash when he called his parents.

He insisted he was not texting at the time of the crash and could not remember texting while driving.  However, phone records indicate Deveau sent a text message at 2:34 p.m. and received a response at 2:35 p.m. Police said the crash occurred at 2:35 p.m.

Texting while driving is a crime in 38 states. See how we can help if you are injured in a car accident.

YOUR UTAH ACCIDENT AND INJURY LAWYERS

If you suspect someone was texting and driving and caused your accident call the award winning Firm of William Rawlings & Associates.  Put over 35 years of experience on your side.  We have helped thousand of injury victims and their families.  Free Consultation to discuss your case and a ZERO Fee Guarantee.

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