The Eagle-Tribune, North Andover, Mass.
The punishment handed down to 18-year-old Aaron Deveau should serve as a warning to young people, and their parents, about the consequences of texting while driving.
A Massachusetts court jury found Deveau guilty of motor vehicle homicide and texting while operating a motor vehicle negligently and causing injury. Deveau was sentenced to serve one year in jail and had his license suspended for 15 years.
Prosecutors argued successfully that Deveau had been distracted by sending and receiving text messages on his cellular phone while driving. Prosecutor Ashlee Logan said Deveau sent or received 193 texts on the day of the crash, including some just moments before the collision.
Deveau was the first person to be charged with texting while operating a motor vehicle negligently and causing injury.
The verdict makes clear that the fatal accident resulted from Deveau's negligence and that he will pay a price for that behavior.
Losing his license for 15 years is a serious penalty. Deveau will be in his 30s before he can drive again.
Deveau's conviction and sentence should send a message to young drivers: Don't text while driving. It could cost someone their life and take away your freedom.
Adults should take heed as well. No phone call or text message is worth the risk of killing someone by driving while distracted.
Published June 27, 2012, in Allied News. Pick up a copy at 201 A Erie St., Grove City.