Texting while driving deemed to be factor in fatal crash involving semi-truck

2010-03-16 14:34:48 (GMT) (JusticeNewsFlash.com - Auto Accident, Justice News Flash)

Legal News for Wisconsin Auto Accident Attorneys. A woman who was texting while driving was killed after colliding with an 18-wheeler.

Auto accident attorney alerts- Probe into fatal crash involving semi-truck revealed car driver was sending text messages before impact.

Dane County, WI—In yet another incident of distracted driving, a woman who was allegedly texting while driving became involved in a deadly motor vehicle collision (MVC) with a semi-truck on Tuesday night, March 9, 2010. The two-vehicle crash occurred at the junction of U.S. Highway 51 and Token Creek Lane in the Town of Burke, according to information provided by WKOWTV.com.

Authorities from the Dane County Sheriff’s Office reported an 18-wheeler turning onto northbound Highway 51 from Token Creek when the wreck occurred. A car, which was traveling north on Highway 51, reportedly collided with the big rig, for reasons that were initially unknown. The motorist driving the car involved in the collision, identified as 51-year-old Kathy A. Endsley, reportedly suffered severe injuries, which proved fatal at the scene. The driver of the rig, identified as 66-year-old Larry L. Christensen, did not sustain any injuries in the motor vehicle accident. Investigations into the fatal wreck revealed that Endsley was apparently text messaging when she collided with the semi, however, the Dane County police investigation into the wreck is still open pending the outcome of toxicology tests.

According to a survey conducted from April 15, 2009 to May 12, 2009 by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, “over two out of every three drivers admit talking on their cell phones while driving in the past month, and over one in five admit reading or sending text messages or emails while driving.” Statistics provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) revealed that approximately 6,000 people were fatally injured in crashes involving distracted drivers during the year 2008.

Legal News Reporter: Legal News for Wisconsin Auto Accident Lawyers.