Oct. 11, 2012
A 65-year-old Prescott, Wisconsin, man is facing charges of negligent homicide and second-degree reckless homicide in a St. Croix County Court for his part in a fatal distracted driving accident. An article from RiverTowns.net stated the collision occurred in Sept. 2011 in Joseph, Wisconsin.
Reports indicate the man was talking on his cellphone when he attempted to pass a truck hauling a trailer. As the vehicle began to overtake the truck, wet road conditions complicated by the vehicle’s acceleration caused car to fishtail.
In an effort to regain control of the vehicle, investigators determined the man threw his cellphone to the floorboards of the vehicle, but was unable to steer out of the way of an oncoming car driven by the 37-year-old victim from New Richmond, Wisconsin. The woman died at the scene.
Officials investigating the incident determined the man responsible for causing the fatal Wisconsin car accident was driving at speed upwards of 95 mph in a 55 mph zone in the moments before the crash.
Two years ago, Wisconsin lawmakers banned texting and driving across the state and have considered a ban on the use of any handheld device while behind the wheel, but no bills on the subject have ever been brought for review.
The personal injury lawyers with Sigman Janssen Injury & Disability Lawyers ask that drivers each do their part to keep Wisconsin’s roadways safe by putting your phone down when driving.
