Teen charged with texting while driving in fatal crash

[The30YardSlant]

I think some of you need to tap the breaks. The average prison sentence in the US for killing someone while drunk driving is only 4 years. Now, this is serious, but not more serious than drunk driving.

 

[Rynie]

Really want about the live he took and the lives he destroyed. Oh but lets not inconvince him by sending him to prison, after all now his life will be hard.

Maybe he should have thought about that before

First, calm down. It's just my opinion, and you're getting all UMAD over here. LOL.
Second: yeah, it sucks that people died, but are you going to send everyone to prison if they get into an accident that results in a fatality? Accidents happen. It's life.

Maybe he should have thought of that before? Before what? I guarantee you've sent a text while operating a car..we're all guilty of it. So, we should all be in prison, right? C'mon son! You're acting like the person got drunk and went out driving, or shot someone to death.

Like i said...it's prison...the place where we send rapists, murderers, child-molesters....not TEXTERS.

*end scene.

I can't wait to see you get visibly upset over my reply. MUAH!!

 

[SkinsandTerps]

5 years in an adult prison for texting is just ********. It sucks that people died, but the kid is 16. Most teens text and drive. Now he'll have to deal with being on parole, having a difficult time finding a job, etc, all because he ****ing texted. Stupid.
This is PRISON. Let's save room for the murderers, child-molesters, rapists, and people that actually do things that warrant a prison-sentence.

Umm...

The kid is just 16? Are you kidding? His age is not an issue. 16, 26, 36 whatever the age it doesn't matter.

Most teens text and drive? And that makes it right?

This is PRISON? You bet your *** it is. If you can't do the time don't do the crime. Someone was killed remember? His negligence led to someones death. That doesn't warrant a prison sentence?

5 years in an adult prison for texting is just ********? Sounds to me like he got off lucky for killing someone.

Thanks for answering that one for me.

I think some of you need to tap the breaks. The average prison sentence in the US for killing someone while drunk driving is only 4 years. Now, this is serious, but not more serious than drunk driving.

According to a previous post you are more 40% more likely to have an accident while driving and texting.

I hate to text to begin with. Call me if you can and leave a message, if you can't answer...I will leave you one. I understand. I can text and drive because me phone allows me to hear texts and speak texts. It works for when I need it.

 

[trickblue]

I think some of you need to tap the breaks. The average prison sentence in the US for killing someone while drunk driving is only 4 years. Now, this is serious, but not more serious than drunk driving.

I actually think it is more serious because kids barely know how to drive and we put them behind the wheel of a 3500 pound death machine. Texting while driving is MUCH more rampant than DUI, adults included. Something has to give on this at some point as kids flippantly ignore warnings because they know it all...

We're raising a generation of kids that think it is harmless and will continue the practice in to adulthood... I see women driving and texting all of the time with their children strapped in the back seat... it's appalling... I see texting while driving multiple times on a daily basis. The worst part is that it happens 24/7... you are much more likely to see a drunk driver very late at night rather than at any time of the day... I see people texting in school zones early in the morning...

Even if she is sentenced to 5 years, she'll likely only serve a couple...

Too bad she doesn't play in the NFL... she would get off scott free...

 

[jimmy40]

When on the road with my kids I constantly point out cars/trucks ahead of us even if they're 6/7 cars ahead and I tell my kids the dumb *** driver is texting. Now my kids can point them out to me. Every texter drifts in and out of their lane, slows down speeds up. Freaking idiots. Anyone that tries to say you don't you're wrong and stupid. My kids can tell how dangerous it is and have gotten to where they don't even like texting when just riding in a car. Texting while driving should have at the very least the same penalties as drunk driving.

 

[vta]

First, calm down. It's just my opinion, and you're getting all UMAD over here. LOL.
Second: yeah, it sucks that people died, but are you going to send everyone to prison if they get into an accident that results in a fatality? Accidents happen. It's life.

Maybe he should have thought of that before? Before what? I guarantee you've sent a text while operating a car..we're all guilty of it. So, we should all be in prison, right? C'mon son! You're acting like the person got drunk and went out driving, or shot someone to death.

Like i said...it's prison...the place where we send rapists, murderers, child-molesters....not TEXTERS.

*end scene.

I can't wait to see you get visibly upset over my reply. MUAH!!

I doubt you're going to be able guarantee anything like that, because I know there are more people like myself who've never done such a thing. I don't even answer the phone while driving. I'd guarantee that I'm not a demographic of one.

I agree tossing her in with adult felons is too much and is most likely not going to end as simply a punishment for an individual, but I'm all for harsh penalties against people texting who hadn't killed anyone yet. There's no need to be doing that nonsense while driving, anymore than there would need to be playing a video game or doing a puzzle while driving.

Hell, I'd even advocate a beating for the fool caught doing such a thing.

 

[burmafrd]

pretty stupid. Claiming this is not serious and does not deserve prison.

THAT is STUPID. SHE KILLED A PERSON.

You go to prison for that; she has it coming. It only ruins her life if she LETS it.

 

[vta]

pretty stupid. Claiming this is not serious and does not deserve prison.

THAT is STUPID. SHE KILLED A PERSON.

You go to prison for that; she has it coming. It only ruins her life if she LETS it.

No one's claiming it isn't serious, it's pretty obvious it's downright tragic. And spending time with people who are going to recognize the victim she'll be in prison has nothing to do with her allowances. She's going to be chewed up and spit out. Then leave prison a worse person than who went in, which will increase the chances of the people of her state paying for her in some form or another for longer than her prison term for this decision. She needs to be punished, not conditioned into a worse sort of person. We have enough of those.

 

[The30YardSlant]

I hate to text to begin with. Call me if you can and leave a message, if you can't answer...I will leave you one. I understand. I can text and drive because me phone allows me to hear texts and speak texts. It works for when I need it.

That's fine, but drinking and riving over the legal limit is illegal everywhere. Texting and driving is illegal in only certain parts of only 9 states.

I don't text and drive and agree this person should face punishment, but 5 years? Manslaughter and assault rarely result in more than 5 years. I think this sets a dangerous precedent.

 

[The30YardSlant]

I actually think it is more serious because kids barely know how to drive and we put them behind the wheel of a 3500 pound death machine. Texting while driving is MUCH more rampant than DUI, adults included. Something has to give on this at some point as kids flippantly ignore warnings because they know it all...

We're raising a generation of kids that think it is harmless and will continue the practice in to adulthood... I see women driving and texting all of the time with their children strapped in the back seat... it's appalling... I see texting while driving multiple times on a daily basis. The worst part is that it happens 24/7... you are much more likely to see a drunk driver very late at night rather than at any time of the day... I see people texting in school zones early in the morning...

Even if she is sentenced to 5 years, she'll likely only serve a couple...

Too bad she doesn't play in the NFL... she would get off scott free...

Again, you can't put someone in jail for 5 years for killing someone while doing something that is perfectly legal almost everywhere in this country.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

It carries a maximum sentence of 5 years and it doubt he/she will do any. They killed someone due to irresponsibile behavior and deserve everything they are going through now, but I doubt a judge gives the 16 year old a max sentence. Probably probation, revoking of liscense, community service, ect, but that doesn't mean that they should not face these charges.

 

[burmafrd]

Again, you can't put someone in jail for 5 years for killing someone while doing something that is perfectly legal almost everywhere in this country.

You just said that no one should pay any real time of their life for taking anothers?

Wow. just wow

And frankly the arguement that oh its so terrible in prison is total BS

ITS SUPPOSED TO BE TERRIBLE. Frankly all too often it is not.

Why criminals are not scare of prison anymore.

 

[casmith07]

Again, you can't put someone in jail for 5 years for killing someone while doing something that is perfectly legal almost everywhere in this country.

Sure you can, if it's illegal in that jurisdiction and the statute provides for such a punishment.

 

[cowboy_ron]

Five years in an adult prison...for a sixteen year old kid. I am torn on this one. I feel for the family that lost a loved one and would be furious if my parents were killed by some dumb kid texting. But my son is also sixteen and if he made the same mistake I am not sure what I would do. Scratch that...I would do everything in my power to keep him out of an adult prision.



http://www.kansascity.com/2012/04/19...rged-with.html

I'm not torn at all on it...they are well aware of the risks and that it is illegal to do now...there is a law term that states an assumption of risk...the teen took it and lost, now it's time to price for that...it doesn't have to hit close to home for me to feel the pain of it.

I see drivers everyday either texting or talking on a cell phone and not paying attention...to me, the penalties cannot be severe enough......if I'm not mistaken, those of us over 20 have lived withough having to use a cell phone while driving and we managed pretty well.

 

[Kristi]

I think Texting should be banned in all states. I drive with my hands so I don't pick up my phone unless I am stopped. If it rings, it rings. That's what voicemail and texts are for. No life us worth any text or call IMO.

I live by a high school and see how crazy they drive without a cell in their hand. I make it a point to not be anywhere on the street when they are going or leaving school. I couldn't wait to get my learners permit at 14 and my driver's license soon after, but now as adult I think that is waaaay to young to be behind the wheel.

This girl should be punished for taking a life. There are enough distractions on the road for everyone driving, but I believe teenagers are the worst of all and the last people that should be texting. She is punishing herself, but I do think jail time is necessary. What age do you draw the line on who and who doesn't go to prison for killing someone while driving? If you are old enough to get behind the wheel, you are old enough to except the consequences of your actions and the punishment issued to you.

It is sad that this great grandmother knew this girl was out of control and did everything in her power to get her car out of the way and still got killed. She doesn't get to come back in years when this girl's prison sentence is over.

Truthfully, though unless Texting is banned nationwide/worldwide we are going to see more cases like this.

 

[Tony33]

It's a kid, the sentence is way to stiff.

Personally I don't think kids should drive until they are 18.

 

[danielofthesaints]

Wouldn't it be more helpful both sides if she served ~2 years and then spent future years raising awareness on the severity of this issue? I think that is what is needed with how prevalent texting and driving is today. Some good can actually come out of this by telling her story to other teenagers. It will probably go in one ear and out the other, but even it it keeps one teenager from texting while driving, it has the possibility to save lives.

 

[1fisher]

5 years in jail is nothing compared to loss of life. I don't feel sorry for her at all. However, I feel terrible for the victim and her family. What a tragic way to die.

 

[trickblue]

Again, you can't put someone in jail for 5 years for killing someone while doing something that is perfectly legal almost everywhere in this country.

Drinking and Driving was legal until I was 21... and you CAN put someone in jail for being an idiot...

Texting while driving is a BIG problem... especially among teens...

You can do LOTS of things that are perfectly legal resulting in the death of someone and land you in jail...

I've always said that legal driving age should be 18... it is in many states...

16 is too young to drive... it's legal because parents want help in extracurricular activities...

A 16 year old has no business driving a car... they are rarely mature enough...

 

[trickblue]

It's a kid, the sentence is way to stiff.

Personally I don't think kids should drive until they are 18.

That kid took a life and marred a grandchild forever...

Someone has to be the example... too bad for her... but the message has to get out...

I DO agree with you about legal driving age... 16 is too young...