Texting & Swerving Driver Kills 13 Seniors On Bus In Texas

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WhatInThe

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Texas is one of the very few states that doesn't have a law against Texting and Driving. Perhaps this tragedy will get the Texas legislators attention. However, even though this stupidity is against the law in most places, it is still up to the individual to recognize the dangers of playing with a cell phone while driving. I just hope this idiot has manslaughter or 2nd degree murder charges brought against him, and that the media gives this case some good publicity that will plant a seed of caution in the minds of some of the fools who drive and play with their cell phones.
 
This is so tragic! That young man will pay a price, time in jail, etc., but even when that's done, he will forever know that he killed 13 people because of a stupid text that could have waited. People like to think that we're adults when we hit 19,20.....but the brains don't actually take root at that moment in a lot of cases.

When we got our horses, they were six years old, had been trained for riding for a number of years already, and yet among horse people, it is commonly thought that they were still 'brainless', weren't quite mature, hadn't settled. People are like that I think. I remember my 20's, my husbands, our friends......still caught in 'the moment' and not yet understanding our place in the big picture. That's where this young man was. And he'll always have the guilt of those moments of stupidity.
 

WhatInThe said:
A texting and swerving driver in a heavy duty pick-up truck wound up killing 13 seniors on bus during/after a head on collision probably after crossing lanes. Video and 911 calls verify the story. Driver has apparently admitted to texting.

RIP the victims. Condolences to family.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4370810/Terrifying-video-shows-truck-swerving-bus-crash.html

Probably won't happen but this should be a death penalty case.

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:
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Very stupid, but just because of people being killed does not justify judicial murder which is what the death penalty amounts to.

IMO the offence committed was careless driving.

IMO not even dangerous driving.

Over here there is an offence of causing death by careless or dangerous driving (which I disagree with) but use of kiddie phones or playing with sat nav is illegal and carries severe penalties. The root cause here is the absence of legislation to prohibit the use of mobile phones etc. The worst that the driver can be accused of would be dangerous driving but even then a charge of careless driving would be more fitting.

Though very sad the loss of life in this case is incidental.
 
Certainly it was at least reckless driving and/or vehicular homicide (at least probably be so considered here). And the loss of life isn't "incidental." There's a huge difference in the charges from, say, negligent discharge of a firearm, and homicide if that discharge results in someone's death. Same difference.
 
aeron said:
Very stupid, but just because of people being killed does not justify judicial murder which is what the death penalty amounts to.

IMO the offence committed was careless driving.

IMO not even dangerous driving.

Over here there is an offence of causing death by careless or dangerous driving (which I disagree with) but use of kiddie phones or playing with sat nav is illegal and carries severe penalties. The root cause here is the absence of legislation to prohibit the use of mobile phones etc. The worst that the driver can be accused of would be dangerous driving but even then a charge of careless driving would be more fitting.

Though very sad the loss of life in this case is incidental.
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I saw the video taken by a following car, and there was dangerous driving. The guy was all over the road, using both lanes, almost on the shoulder.....I don't know about the USA but in Canada it's illegal to be on your cell while you drive texting or holding your phone and talking). I always pull over to answer my phone if one of my girls calls while I'm driving.

I wouldn't be calling for the death penalty at all for this stupid young man, because I'm sure he didn't intend that this happen, but he's chosen to be 'the lesson' to everyone who knows him so some sort of severe penalty is called for.
 
Debby said:
I saw the video taken by a following car, and there was dangerous driving. The guy was all over the road, using both lanes, almost on the shoulder.....I don't know about the USA but in Canada it's illegal to be on your cell while you drive texting or holding your phone and talking). I always pull over to answer my phone if one of my girls calls while I'm driving.

I wouldn't be calling for the death penalty at all for this stupid young man, because I'm sure he didn't intend that this happen, but he's chosen to be 'the lesson' to everyone who knows him so some sort of severe penalty is called for.
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That's the thing after watching a longer video you realize this wasn't a momentary thing. He was a menace and he probably got lucky or didn't get caught on other occasions. Yes unfortunately without premeditation his life will be spared. Some people are nothing but a disposable tool for Darwin and should be discarded when done. I hope he's still in court or getting future wages garnished 30 years from now.

That video is should be used to warn of the dangers of texting and driving.
 
It is very necessary to separate justice and vengeance. In this case what he did resulted in horrendous unexpected consequences but the offence that he committed was at worst dangerous driving but arguably careless driving. It is for one of those offences that he should be sentenced to an appropriate penalty.
 
He will be charged with vehicular homicide or manslaughter. The number of counts will guarantee his sorry fanny sits in a prison cell for many, many years to come. Won't bring back a single one of the lives he took by his own hand. Won't bring closure to the many friends and relatives of those who lost their lives as a result. If a person drinks and drives and kills innocents, he/she will pay the consequences. If a person texts and drives and kills innocents, he/she should pay the same consequences.
Our small town legislated a hands-free device law about 3 years ago. Signs are posted at every entrance to town. Just heard a report this past week where over 4,000 traffic citations have been written for either talking on a cell when driving or texting while driving since the law went into effect. Yet, we still see folks every day driving with a cell phone to their ear. We have a large college and military installation here. Both of those facilities enhance our population of the younger drivers who think driving and talking or texting is a right, not a privilege.
 
There is a Texas bill on texting while driving that is winding its way through the legislature...we will see. Some towns and cities already have such a local law. Some more info has emerged on this case. The 20-year-old driver had taken several prescription medications. First, he admitted taking 2 pills of Clonazepam...also Ambien and Lexapro was taken. The story didn't say what conditions they were prescribed for, but I believe the first is a tranquilizer and, the second is for sleep and the third an antidepressant. Those meds could certainly make a person sleepy or out of it. The state trooper at the scene has stated in his report that he had probable cause to believe the driver was intoxicated, but they withheld all that info at the time. They also found some pot in the truck.
 
I am ashamed to admit that I have also done this and continue to do it while driving. Even though I use talk to text, it is still a very dangerous practice and I need to work on shutting it down. It has probably been only good luck that I have not hit anyone yet. I have had a few close calls, so, yeah, I need to stop it.
 
Recent statistics are showing that cell phone usage is the Number One cause of auto accidents....surpassing even drunk driving. Most places have laws against Texting and Driving, but for the police to catch someone in the act is almost impossible. The Only way to slow this nonsense down, IMO, is for the courts to levy still penalties against anyone who causes an accident while playing with their phones. If such an accident causes severe injuries or deaths, the charges should be upgraded to everything from Assault to 2nd Degree Murder.
 
Linda W. said:
There is a Texas bill on texting while driving that is winding its way through the legislature...we will see. Some towns and cities already have such a local law. Some more info has emerged on this case. The 20-year-old driver had taken several prescription medications. First, he admitted taking 2 pills of Clonazepam...also Ambien and Lexapro was taken. The story didn't say what conditions they were prescribed for, but I believe the first is a tranquilizer and, the second is for sleep and the third an antidepressant. Those meds could certainly make a person sleepy or out of it. The state trooper at the scene has stated in his report that he had probable cause to believe the driver was intoxicated, but they withheld all that info at the time. They also found some pot in the truck.
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Yes, that kid was a time bomb waiting to go off!
The texting and driving bill better get passed soon for the state. They defeated it twice in the past, and if the current news story isn't fresh in their heads, they may let it go again. That would be criminal, as I believe 46 of the 50 states have already enacted the law.
 
Texting while driving is bad and along those same lines before I retired I recall on several occasions seeing women going to work, at 55 mph or greater, and they were putting on their makeup while looking in the rear view mirror......I guess they wanted to look purty for the ambulance drivers taking them to the emergency room after the wreck.
 
Anyone remember the Myth Busters episode where they have one group talk on the cell phone and driving and the other group drink a 6 pack and drive? The drunk driver did much better on road course than the cell phone jabber.
 
Jack D. Young, the driver of the truck, had 14 indictments returned and remains in jail. The Texas legislature did pass a state law banning texting while driving. From the San Antonio Express-News:
A Uvalde County grand jury returned 13 two-count indictments alleging intoxication manslaughter and manslaughter, and one two-count indictment alleging intoxication assault/aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury.
 
Yeah the texting law starts in September. He should have gotten the death penalty altho we would have to take care of him for awhile. At least we do execute more than most states do. I see nothing wrong with the death penalty except it should be done within 6 months of the verdict. I have always felt that way as do most of the people I know.
 
terry123 said:
I see nothing wrong with the death penalty except it should be done within 6 months of the verdict. I have always felt that way as do most of the people I know.
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I agree but not much chance of that happening. Too many attorneys are in state legislatures and the appeals process is a cash cow for the profession. Once again, greed trumps (little 't') common sense.
 
Three years ago, I was called to the scene of an accident involving three vehicles, two cars and an SUV. Young girl in first car was texting while driving on the interstate. She crossed over the center line and struck the SUV passing her in the right rear, which started to spin the vehicle. The driver of the SUV lost control and went back across the center line and struck the car in back of the young girl. That car (the third car) then went into a slow spin and was again slammed into by the SUV, which again hit the first car and T-boned the texting driving. All 5 people in the three vehicles were taken to the hospital. The texting driver also had a blood alcohol reading of .03, which is OK, but she also tested positive for MJ. Not sure what level she tested to.

She faced multiple charges. End of story....... 8 years with 7 suspended and 5 years probation. Her one year was served under house arrest. AND, a $12,500.00 fine to be paid within 24 months.
 
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