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Massachusetts teen found guilty in landmark texting-while-driving case

GasBuddy Blog -- In a landmark case this month, Aaron Deveau, 18, became the first driver in Massachusetts to be found guilty of motor vehicle homicide by texting. He was sentenced to two years in prison and loss of his license for 15 years.

Prosecutors said Deveau, who pleaded not guilty, was texting when his vehicle swerved across the center line of a Haverhill street and crashed head on into Donald Bowley's truck on Feb. 20, 2011. The crash killed Mr. Bowley, a 55-year-old father of three.

Deveau's attention was focused not on the road in front of him but on a text message, one of 193 texts he sent the day of the crash. One moment of inattention was all it took to kill Mr. Bowley and also cause severe injury to the deceased's passenger...

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Submitted Jun 21, 2012 By: PD

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jannh55 Rookie Author Savannah Posts:2 Points:6,345 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 2:17:40 PM Ignore jannh55 Report Abuse A GIRL IN HER 20'S I WORK WITH ALSO KILLED A MILITARY WOMAN BECAUSE OF TEXTING, SHE HASN'T GONE TO TRIAL YET. IT HASN'T STOPPED HER FROM TEXTING ALL THE TIME.
Gas4Gore Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,421 Points:423,875 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 1:58:47 PM Ignore Gas4Gore Report Abuse I do not think 2 years is enough.
Vette1967 Champion Author Albany Posts:5,972 Points:1,276,975 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Dec 21, 2012 8:47:40 PM Ignore Vette1967 Report Abuse An accident that could have easily been avoided.
pilotmass Champion Author Boston Posts:1,825 Points:502,610 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Dec 20, 2012 9:16:47 AM Ignore pilotmass Report Abuse Two years for a life. Not a good trade.
WanderDan All-Star Author Dayton Posts:591 Points:144,460 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Dec 18, 2012 10:45:12 PM Ignore WanderDan Report Abuse many states ban it but what is to really stop anyone but common sense. sad when mistakes made by most have such terrible consequences
Donatelo Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,121 Points:292,685 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Dec 11, 2012 9:48:40 AM Ignore Donatelo Report Abuse texting while driving is very unsafe and should be outlawed.
gasokie Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:3,448 Points:1,325,475 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Dec 10, 2012 2:59:51 PM Ignore gasokie Report Abuse I don't know what could be done. Texting in excess is a result of OCB and mental diseases don't respond well to laws.
dockersbin Veteran Author Virginia Beach Posts:407 Points:260,385 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2012 8:35:20 PM Ignore dockersbin Report Abuse how many people die before something is actually done about this!
SanchoNY Rookie Author New York Posts:29 Points:61,845 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2012 2:15:04 PM Ignore SanchoNY Report Abuse He didnt get nearly enough.
CapriceWagon All-Star Author Washington Posts:939 Points:479,070 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 2:00:37 PM Ignore CapriceWagon Report Abuse Hang 'em high
Vette1967 Champion Author Albany Posts:5,972 Points:1,276,975 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 12:26:12 AM Ignore Vette1967 Report Abuse Remember when distractions were just popping in an 8 track tape or changing the channel on your CB radio?
skidsteer85xt Champion Author Indiana Posts:3,654 Points:188,000 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Dec 5, 2012 11:18:46 PM Ignore skidsteer85xt Report Abuse texting while driving is very dangerous!!!!
JamesCalvin Champion Author Lancaster Posts:3,186 Points:519,555 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Aug 16, 2012 10:45:10 AM Ignore JamesCalvin Report Abuse Not good to text and drive. Could cause serious problems!
driveonby1 Champion Author Toledo Posts:1,507 Points:256,665 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Aug 2, 2012 1:23:59 PM Ignore driveonby1 Report Abuse Good. But, maybe if the taxpayers had paid him to not text while driving, we wouldn't have to be reading about this.
albert2008 Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:7,352 Points:1,481,010 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jul 31, 2012 8:17:59 AM Ignore albert2008 Report Abuse good make it stick
ggg452 Champion Author Manitoba Posts:1,570 Points:331,825 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Jul 31, 2012 8:14:14 AM Ignore ggg452 Report Abuse At least he will have plenty of time to continue texting... write about what it is like to be in jail; all your friends on FACEBOOK will want to know.
OHMS Champion Author Orange County Posts:13,722 Points:1,692,855 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jul 31, 2012 3:39:10 AM Ignore OHMS Report Abuse "I think we can take an educated guess that they're not pleased with the brevity of the prison sentence" think before you write!
OHMS Champion Author Orange County Posts:13,722 Points:1,692,855 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jul 31, 2012 2:54:44 AM Ignore OHMS Report Abuse it'll wait.
stonecold5005 All-Star Author Waco Posts:817 Points:20,240 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2012 11:47:51 AM Ignore stonecold5005 Report Abuse good
gasokie Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:3,448 Points:1,325,475 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Jul 15, 2012 1:38:50 PM Ignore gasokie Report Abuse I have learned to ignore my phone when I drive. It's just not all that hard to pull over and do this. Most of that "phone traffic" is just trivial crap. ...but all the drivers can be mortally affected by your decision that you are exceptional and can text and drive. Even those talking on the phone are a danger.
albert2008 Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:7,352 Points:1,481,010 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jul 14, 2012 7:44:44 PM Ignore albert2008 Report Abuse about time to get hard on them
99dakota Champion Author Providence Posts:8,112 Points:2,173,000 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Jul 14, 2012 4:15:11 PM Ignore 99dakota Report Abuse The penalty needs to be harsh to discorouge others
jlf599 Veteran Author Kentucky Posts:339 Points:126,925 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Jul 12, 2012 10:51:33 AM Ignore jlf599 Report Abuse Interesting. Losing your license for 15 years does seem harsh, though...as noted by another, more than DUI crashes.
ToxicSector77 Rookie Author Michigan Posts:32 Points:3,020 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Jul 12, 2012 8:03:33 AM Ignore ToxicSector77 Report Abuse My mom was just checking her phone to see if ai needed her to watch my son that day and did not see that the truck in front of her had stopped. It took out the front of her car, the lights and dented the hood, but the truck only lost the bumper she hit which they put back on. This was her first accident that was her fault and she is now 56 and wopn't do that again!!!
stonecold5005 All-Star Author Waco Posts:817 Points:20,240 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2012 8:21:38 AM Ignore stonecold5005 Report Abuse good
txrojo2005 All-Star Author Austin Posts:766 Points:479,630 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 12:56:08 PM Ignore txrojo2005 Report Abuse Too many things to distract drivers now.
Dodge_Me Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,214 Points:556,230 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Jun 24, 2012 10:13:15 PM Ignore Dodge_Me Report Abuse I can't stand to see others texting buttt... for a first time offence seems just a bit stiff. I've seen DUI get of with a lot less and IMHO thats the same as texting. 2 years in prison?
clpassenubye Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,359 Points:754,355 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jun 23, 2012 5:09:09 PM Ignore clpassenubye Report Abuse Hopefully its a lesson learned
Donatelo Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,121 Points:292,685 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 23, 2012 10:40:43 AM Ignore Donatelo Report Abuse k
albert2008 Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:7,352 Points:1,481,010 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jun 23, 2012 9:20:02 AM Ignore albert2008 Report Abuse we need to learn from this
sneadmd Sophomore Author Dayton Posts:217 Points:221,975 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Jun 23, 2012 8:53:21 AM Ignore sneadmd Report Abuse Reading this makes you think about this app... I am NOT driving right now but the GASBUDDY APP does indirectly promote updating prices while driving ... Something to think about ... Maybe they should put out a survey to see how many people update this app while driving as well as other phone features ...
sneadmd Sophomore Author Dayton Posts:217 Points:221,975 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Jun 23, 2012 8:49:58 AM Ignore sneadmd Report Abuse Think he should have Gotten more like 30 years
Z51Corvette Champion Author Austin Posts:8,490 Points:1,672,145 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jun 22, 2012 9:59:23 PM Ignore Z51Corvette Report Abuse Well, I am very sad for the children of Mr. Bowley. You can not bring him back. I am for a harsh message to be sent regarding this kind of thing. Too many people do not think when they get behind the wheel. My father taught me many years ago, getting behind the wheel of a car is like holding a loaded gun. This young man was irresponsible and killed someone. A strong message must be sent to help other connect on the seriousness of this kind of thing that can and will happen, unless strong measures are taken!
FunMyster All-Star Author Indiana Posts:907 Points:73,215 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Jun 22, 2012 8:38:22 PM Ignore FunMyster Report Abuse wow
sparky808 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,003 Points:598,710 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jun 22, 2012 12:38:14 PM Ignore sparky808 Report Abuse good
albert2008 Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:7,352 Points:1,481,010 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jun 22, 2012 8:11:11 AM Ignore albert2008 Report Abuse now if everybody else takes a lesson from this thats good
remay Champion Author Houston Posts:6,968 Points:2,117,615 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jun 22, 2012 5:49:47 AM Ignore remay Report Abuse Hmmmmm - Gregg Laskoski conveniently left out WHEN the conviction ame down - this news was ALREADY posted quite a while agio...
OTISFL Champion Author Pensacola Posts:4,610 Points:865,815 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Jun 22, 2012 4:49:19 AM Ignore OTISFL Report Abuse He should have gotten LIFE in prison.
dave27johnson Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,788 Points:409,045 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Jun 22, 2012 12:49:22 AM Ignore dave27johnson Report Abuse A light sentence for a reckless death.
defiancegasman Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,080 Points:1,323,260 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jun 22, 2012 12:07:07 AM Ignore defiancegasman Report Abuse Old news! At the time they couldn't prove that he was texting at the time of the crash, just 90 seconds before. But that was enough to put some jail time on him.
CVA19 Champion Author Salem Posts:2,393 Points:609,575 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Jun 21, 2012 11:49:04 PM Ignore CVA19 Report Abuse Nothing more than a slap on the wrist for taking a life and ripping a family apart. This isn't justice. The "book" needs to be thrown at distracted drivers who cause major accidents. This is the only way to send a crystal clear message to others who might do the same. [Edited by: GT3186 at 6/22/2012 12:50:32 AM EST]
alterman156 Champion Author New York Posts:7,490 Points:1,557,750 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Jun 21, 2012 11:27:39 PM Ignore alterman156 Report Abuse That should set an example why one shouldn't text while they're driving amongst other things not to do while driving.
tedjm1 Champion Author New York Posts:5,609 Points:800,300 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Jun 21, 2012 11:16:58 PM Ignore tedjm1 Report Abuse Something very concrete should be done about texting. I've seen drivers put on make-up, shave, talk on cell phone while driving. None of these actions keep your mind on the road.
J4romeo All-Star Author Gary Posts:506 Points:1,214,925 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Jun 21, 2012 11:15:31 PM Ignore J4romeo Report Abuse To me no different on a drunk driver or texting neither really aware of the road!!
Ahking Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,507 Points:603,450 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jun 21, 2012 11:10:02 PM Ignore Ahking Report Abuse Is he going to support the victim's family?
mfeldstein Champion Author Ottawa Posts:8,176 Points:1,931,455 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Jun 21, 2012 11:08:44 PM Ignore mfeldstein Report Abuse Good. Hopefully a widely-referenced precedent.
suzmar Champion Author Texas Posts:2,212 Points:872,740 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Jun 21, 2012 11:06:55 PM Ignore suzmar Report Abuse This does seem stiff in light of what drivers under the influence get in terms of punishment.
Bleeder Champion Author Virginia Posts:8,038 Points:1,699,625 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jun 21, 2012 11:06:46 PM Ignore Bleeder Report Abuse Good. They should be taking away driving PRIVILEGES for this!!
Bezalel Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:12,103 Points:2,290,995 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Jun 21, 2012 11:06:43 PM Ignore Bezalel Report Abuse "Texting is but one distraction. " Well said.
ricebike Champion Author New Jersey Posts:10,032 Points:1,855,720 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jun 21, 2012 11:06:42 PM Ignore ricebike Report Abuse teens today suck in general