Teen Gets Prison Time for Texting-While-Driving Accident

For many of us, texting has become the new talking.  We find it difficult to step away from our phones for more than a few moments before coming back to see if someone has messaged us or to check the score of the Tigers game.  But there are times when this "new talking" should not take place.


On Wednesday June 6th, Aaron Deveau of Haverhill, Massachusetts was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison with 1 year to serve after he was found guilty of motor vehicle homicide and negligent operation while texting on his cell phone.


In the crash that took place in February of 2011, Deveau swerved into oncoming traffic and struck the vehicle of fifty-five year old Donald Bowley Jr., killing Bowley and seriously injuring his girlfriend Luz Rowan.  Bowley did not die on impact but passed away 18 days after the accident from injuries that he suffered from in the crash.


National Public Radio (NPR) reported that Deveau "was among the first people convicted under a law that took effect in September 2010 that created the criminal charge of texting while driving negligently and causing injury."  Back in September, Massachusetts was the 30th state to make a law banning texting while driving.


The sentence of Deveau sends a message not only to him but to all teens and adults using phones while driving.  Even if it isn't illegal in your state, you should not use your phone while operating a vehicle.  Of course, "it won't happen to you," you're only going to quickly read the text that you're friend just sent you about the movie tonight, but just like Deveau, sometimes it's out of your hands and things go wrong.