Posted on 07/30/2009 11:38:05 AM PDT by Wolfie
Texting-while-driving truck driver crashes into swimming pool
LOCKPORT The driver of a tow truck texting on one cell phone while talking on another Wednesday morning crashed into a car at Tonawanda Creek Road North near Willow Wood Drive, injuring a woman and her niece, Niagara County sheriff's deputies said.
The flatbed tow truck then crashed through a fence and into a house before ending up in a swimming pool.
Chief Deputy Steven Preisch said the driver of the Adams tow truck, identified as Nicholas Sparks, 25, of Burt, admitted he was both texting and talking just after 8 a.m., when he hit the car on Willow Wood, which was stopped to make a turn.
"According to witnesses, he did not even stop, slow down or hit the brakes," Preisch said.
Sparks was charged with reckless driving, talking on a cell phone and following too closely. Preisch said deputies will be seizing his two cell phones and will request search warrants for the phone records to verify allegations the driver was talking on the phone.
"It's crazy the law [for texting while driving] is on the governor's desk. But it's irresponsible," Preisch said. "Here's an example where technology is progressing faster than the bureaucracy and laws can keep up. It doesn't make common sense."
Sparks was heading east on Tonawanda Creek Road North when he rear-ended the car of Lily White, 68, of Lockport, who suffered head injuries and was taken by Mercy Flight to Erie County Medical Center, Buffalo. She was listed in good condition.
Her great-niece, Kiara McDowell, 8, of the Town of Lockport, who was in the rear seat, was taken to Women & Children's Hospital, Buffalo, for treatment of wrist injuries, Preisch said. She was later released. Sparks also was treated in ECMC for back and neck injuries.
Preisch said the flatbed truck was towing two vehicles, with two motor cycles on the bed.
Preisch said that after the collision with the car, the flatbed went through a yard and sideswiped a house at 6369 Tonawanda Creek, with one of the towed vehicles hitting the house, then continued through a privacy fence and into the in-ground pool.
He said the cleanup at the house, owned by Brad Kanel, took more than five hours. He said it was hard finding a truck big enough to pull the flatbed out of the family's pool.
A damage estimate was being tabulated.
I have no problem with prohibiting text messaging when a vehicle is going 10 MPH or more. But during traffic jams? Forget it. People in traffic jams should be allowed to eat, text message, watch TV — you name it. Leave them alone!
“What is texting and why is everybody doing it?”
Ever heard of morse code? This is about as involved at times.
In before the libertarians who don’t want the government telling anyone they can’t text and talk and drive at the same time.
The last time I posted on a thread about this subject, some were of the opinion that texting while driving was mainly a problem with women. I noted that I have seen truck drivers (males) texting. Now this unfortunate accident.
It’s not just a problem with women. It’s a problem with immature people. They see nothing wrong with driving while texting and they believe they will live forever. Reality bites doesn’t it.
If people don’t learn to give up their phone and texting habit while driving, there will be many more deaths and injuries in the future.
Essentially sending email by phone to other cell phones.
The phones have a alphanumeric keypad that you can set to letters and type the message in and they’re displayed on the cell phones screen.
It’s cheaper than calling and uses less energy, so sometimes text messages get through when calls can’t.
The other advantage is that you can still get messages when you are tied up and can’t answer them if they were a call.
Plus, you can text in class, in church, cheat on tests, the list is endless......
I just want a paint ball gun loaded with really obnoxious colored paint balls and a license to shoot...
And, for good measure...
...
And now for the actual photo of the actual incident referenced above:
Have a nice day!
Another Darwin nominee ???
Just about as bad as the teenage girl who was texting while walking on the sidewalk on Staten Island - fell into an open manhole on top of a pile of sh*t !!!
Guys, guys, what are you thinking, he can see his hands, none of the rest of us can.
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