A teenager was killed in a Phoenix pedestrian accident by a distracted driver who was tending to his children in the back seat, the Arizona Republic reported.
The driver reportedly veered off the road and struck them Saturday night as the two boys, ages 15 and 18, were walking on a sidewalk near Roosevelt Street and 32nd Avenue at about 8:30 p.m.
Police report that the driver of the 2006 Chevy Colorado was not impaired but was momentarily distracted by his children, who were riding in the back seat. The driver veered to the right and struck both boys on the sidewalk.
The 15-year-old sustained minor injuries. But the older boy had to be extracted from beneath the vehicle. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
The federal government’s distracted driving website reports that more than 6,000 people are killed and 500,000 are injured each year in accidents caused by distracted driving. While safety advocates focus primarily on the dangers of using a cell phone or text messaging while driving, other forms of distracted driving include:
-Talking to passengers or tending to children.
-Dealing with pets in the car.
-Eating, drinking or smoking.
-Dressing, grooming or applying makeup.
-Reading, including maps.
-Using in-car electronics, including stereos, Mp3 players and GPS devices.
If you have been injured in a traffic accident, contact the Phoenix injury lawyers at Abels & Annes for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call (602) 819-5191 today.