A young woman died on Friday, October 21, 2016, when her car rolled over on Wisconsin Highway 35 near River Falls, Wisconsin. A texting driver caused the crash, according to the preliminary investigation. Our thoughts are with the family.
The preliminary investigation found that a 21-year-old from Big Lake, MN, was northbound on Highway 35 when she “drifted” into the other northbound lane, causing another woman, who was driving in that other lane, to take evasive action, resulting in her vehicle rolling several times. Tragically, that driver was ejected and did not survive.
The woman who drifted into the other lane had both of her hands on a cell phone seconds before the crash, according to a press release issued by the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office.
The woman who drifted into the other lane returned to the scene of the crash. She and her passenger were not injured.
The crash remains under investigation by the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office and the Medical Examiner’s Office.
The River Falls Fire Department & EMS and the Wisconsin State Patrol assisted at the scene.
Take a Pledge to Not Text While Driving
“Have the drivers in your family sign a ‘No Texting Pledge’,” urges Eric Hageman, an attorney and father of five.
We urge parents to take the pledge with their children and to set a good example by pulling over before they even look at a text message. Our “No Texting Pledge” contains links to videos that families can watch together and discuss.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, “Sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent-at 55 mph-of driving the length of an entire football field, blind.”
The U.S. DOT has a website dedicated to preventing distracted driving, http://www.distraction.gov/. There are videos, downloadable prevention posters and other resources.