Fatal Haverhill Car Crash Was Caused by Teen Driver Who Was Allegedly Texting

Police have charged teenager Aaron Deveau with texting while driving in the Haverhill car crash that claimed the life of 55-year-old Donald Bowley Jr. on February 20. The 17-year-old driver has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges of motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation, negligent operation of a motor vehicle causing injury due to mobile phone use, and being a person under the age of 18 using a mobile phone while driving.

Bowley, who suffered a subdural hematoma and was admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital following the catastrophic Essex County traffic crash, died nearly three week later. Also severely injured in the Haverhill motor vehicle accident was Luz Selena Roman, who was riding with Bowley.

Deveau has admitted to using his cell phone when the collision happened.

Texting While Driving
Texting, which seems like a harmless activity, is actually a very dangerous habit to engage in while operating a motor vehicle. As our Boston injury lawyers have reported in the past, texting distracts the driver, requires the use of at least one (if not both) hand that should be on the steering wheel, and uses part of the brain that is also needed for driving.

It just takes just a few seconds for a catastrophic Boston car crash to happen-that’s much less time than it often takes to read, compose, and send a text message.

Texting, like talking on the phone, is distracted driving.

Youth pleads not guilty in texting-while-driving death, Eagle-Tribune, May 26, 2011
Haverhill teen arraigned on charges he was texting in fatal crash, Boston.com, May 25, 2011

Related Web Resources:

OSHA Pushes for Safer Occupational Drivers, No Texting for Drivers on the Job, Massachusetts Workers Compensation Lawyer Blog, April 26, 2011
Hit-and-Run Driver in Lawrence Car Accident that Injured Toddler Was Scrolling Through Cell Phone, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, May 28, 2010
Preventing Massachusetts Car Accidents: Statewide Texting While Driving Ban Likely to be Implemented, Boston Injury Lawyer, June 22, 2010
Contact our Boston personal injury law firm to request a free consultation.

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