In a historic court
ruling, Massachusetts teen Aaron Deveau was
found guilty for vehicular manslaughter after texting while driving and his vehicle swerved across the center line and
crashed head on into Donald Bowley‘s truck, killing the 55-year-old father of three. Deveau was charged with motor vehicle homicide and negligent
operation of a motor vehicle, using a mobile phone while operating a motor
vehicle, reading or sending an electronic message, a marked lanes violation,
and two counts of negligent operation and injury from mobile phone use.
After being found guilty Deveau was sentenced to 2 years in prison and his drivers
license was suspended for 15 years.
This is
historic for many reasons. First, it is the first defendant to be charged with
vehicular manslaughter for causing a death while texting and driving. Second,
and more importantly, this sends a message that this type of negligent behavior is no longer going to to be tolerated by district
attorney’s offices. I have written many times in the past that texting and
driving will not be taken seriously by drivers until they know that they
will face stiffer penalties. Specifically, I have suggested tougher penalties
for driver’s who have caused injuries while using their cell phones in their
vehicles. Massachusetts was the first to step up and enforce their laws. We
will have to wait and see if other district attorneys offices take the same
steps. Also, it will be interesting to see if texting and driving accidents
actually go down now that drivers know that they will face severe
consequences.
If you
or someone you love has been seriously injured in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident, then call Chicago personal injury
attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultationat
312-588-3384.