Massachusetts teen convicted of homicide in texting-while-driving case - Polidicks

[QUOTE](CNN) -- A Massachusetts teen was convicted Wednesday of homicide as a result of texting while driving and will serve one year in prison. [B]In a landmark case for the state, Aaron Deveau, 18, was found guilty on charges of vehicular homicide, texting while driving and negligent operation of a motor vehicle in a 2011 crash that fatally injured Donald Bowley, 55, of Danville, New Hampshire, and seriously injured a passenger in Bowley's car.[/B] "I made a mistake," Deveau said Wednesday after his mother told the court he would not intentionally hurt anyone. "If I could take it back, I would take it back." [B]Judge Stephen Abany sentenced the teen to two and a half years on the vehicular homicide charge and two years on the texting and causing injury charge. He will serve one year concurrently on both charges and the balance of both charges is suspended for five years. His license will be suspended for 15 years.[/B] "There are no winners today," Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said in a statement. "A beloved grandfather is dead. A once active woman can no longer work and is still racked with pain from her injuries and a young man is going to jail. When we get behind the wheel of a car, we are obligated to drive with care. ... As we saw in this case, in a split second, many lives are forever changed." In the February 20, 2011, accident, prosecutors said, Deveau's car crossed the center line on a street in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and hit the vehicle Bowley was driving. Bowley's girlfriend, Luz Roman, 59, was in his car with him and suffered serious injuries. Haverhill Detective Thomas Howell testified the impact left the two "almost folded into the floorboards." Bowley died March 10, 2011, after he was taken off life support. "My brother received such head trauma that ... there was no hope for him," Bowley's sister, Donna Burleigh, said in court. Roman talked about the incident's continued impact. "Loss of sleeping, loss of my boyfriend. So many losses, I can't tell you how many," she told the judge. Assistant District Attorney Ashlee Logan argued that Deveau may have erased some of his texts or lied to police after the accident about when he was texting. Deveau said after the crash in a taped interview with police, which was played in court, "I was tired. I was distracted. When I looked away for one quick second, I came too close to her and I was trying to hit my brakes." His defense lawyer said authorities set out from the beginning to link texting to the crash, a cause-and-effect relationship that he contends is not valid. Some 38 states ban text messaging for all drivers, while 31 prohibit all cell phone use by "novice drivers," according to the Governor's Highway Safety Association.[/QUOTE] Source: [url]http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/06/justice/massachusetts-texting-trial/index.html?hpt=hp_t1[/url]

As a resident of Massachusetts, I can attest to how terrible the drivers are here, and most teenagers are no exception. Just last week I was in a parking lot and I watched a girl my age literally park an SUV into the side of the car in the space next to the one she attempted to park in. She rolled into the other car going no faster than 1 or 2mph, crunched a nice dent in the body, and drove off. As for the case, I think it is good that the kid is being charged. To most of the people I know, driving is just a good time to have with your friends. They do not comprehend the responsibility that comes with driving a vehicle, and I am glad to see that in this case the irresponsibility that has led to the death of a person is actually being punished in a way that will permanently affect the kid's life.

How do people still not realize how fucking stupid texting while driving is. If you do this, fuck you.

Is this the same case from a few weeks ago where the kid was smug and unapologetic? Because if it is, I don't feel sorry for him at all.

[QUOTE=kidwithsword;36229223]As a resident of Massachusetts, I can attest to how terrible the drivers are here, and most teenagers are no exception. Just last week I was in a parking lot and I watched a girl my age literally park an SUV into the side of the car in the space next to the one she attempted to park in. She rolled into the other car going no faster than 1 or 2mph, crunched a nice dent in the body, and drove off. As for the case, I think it is good that the kid is being charged. To most of the people I know, driving is just a good time to have with your friends. They do not comprehend the responsibility that comes with driving a vehicle, and I am glad to see that in this case the irresponsibility that has led to the death of a person is actually being punished in a way that will permanently affect the kid's life.[/QUOTE] I hope you got her plate and reported her.

I can't believe he [i]only[/i] got a year in prison for senselessly ending someone's life. How is that even possible? I mean you can get more prison time for being caught with pot.

[QUOTE=BackflipHatchetAttack;36229270]How do people still not realize how fucking stupid texting while driving is. If you do this, fuck you.[/QUOTE] I've actually had seen some people say "If I want to text while driving, that's my business," or "I only do it because I'm good at it." Sadly, some people really are that naive/arrogant.

Good. No reason to get off scot free for doing something this stupid.

[QUOTE=JeanLuc761;36229596]"I only do it because I'm good at it."[/QUOTE] This is like the go-to excuse for horribly risky behavior.

Always see teens driving SUV's and doing horrible parking jobs and nearly taking out everything in their path..

If you text while drive I have no sympathy for the driver if he/she ends up in a horrible accident. You played cards with death, and you lost.

[QUOTE=DamagePoint;36229555]I can't believe he [i]only[/i] got a year in prison for senselessly ending someone's life. How is that even possible? I mean you can get more prison time for being caught with pot.[/QUOTE] It probably still feels like the end of the world for him. We'll see how this works out over time, I'm sure.

[QUOTE=DamagePoint;36229555]I can't believe he [i]only[/i] got a year in prison for senselessly ending someone's life. How is that even possible? I mean you can get more prison time for being caught with pot.[/QUOTE] I don't think it's the length of the prison term that matters here. He will never be able to get a job or get into college now. It basically destroys his life entirely. I don't think 'convicted of homicide' looks very good on an application. As stupid as I think this kid is, and as much as I want to punch every shitty teen driver in their smug faces, I actually feel a little bad for him. Every kid does some stupid shit, and he was just unlucky enough to learn his lesson the hardest way possible instead of learning it some less tragic way (like taking out a mailbox or something).

[QUOTE=DamagePoint;36229555]I can't believe he [I]only[/I] got a year in prison for senselessly ending someone's life. How is that even possible? I mean you can get more prison time for being caught with pot.[/QUOTE] He only got a year because even though he was negligent, he still didn't mean to kill the person. Two lives don't deserve to be ruined in the event. Also, you won't get more prison time getting caught with pot unless you get an intent to distribute charge, and have prior intent to distribute charges. [editline]7th June 2012[/editline] Generally.

[QUOTE=ROBO_DONUT;36234258]I don't think it's the length of the prison term that matters here. He will never be able to get a job or get into college now. It basically destroys his life entirely. I don't think 'convicted of homicide' looks very good on an application. As stupid as I think this kid is, and as much as I want to punch every shitty teen driver in their smug faces, I actually feel a little bad for him. Every kid does some stupid shit, and he was just unlucky enough to learn his lesson the hardest way possible instead of learning it some less tragic way (like taking out a mailbox or something).[/QUOTE] This. Much like how the DA said: [quote]"There are no winners today," Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said in a statement. "A beloved grandfather is dead. A once active woman can no longer work and is still racked with pain from her injuries and a young man is going to jail.[/quote] Yeah the kid fucked up, but that mistake is going to be with him his whole life, both on paper and in his mind. Sucks.

[QUOTE=ROBO_DONUT;36234258]I don't think it's the length of the prison term that matters here. He will never be able to get a job or get into college now. It basically destroys his life entirely. I don't think 'convicted of homicide' looks very good on an application. As stupid as I think this kid is, and as much as I want to punch every shitty teen driver in their smug faces, I actually feel a little bad for him. Every kid does some stupid shit, and he was just unlucky enough to learn his lesson the hardest way possible instead of learning it some less tragic way (like taking out a mailbox or something).[/QUOTE] He will still be able to get a job and get into college. I don't think most colleges check for past criminal offenses. Also, the longer you have a felony record, the easier it is to get any job. Employers aren't as concerned with a crime committed 10 years ago versus 6 months ago.

I understand where people are coming from with the "his life is ruined" thing, but I honestly can't feel any sympathy for someone who does something this impossibly stupid.

[QUOTE=Starlight15;36234437]I understand where people are coming from with the "his life is ruined" thing, but I honestly can't feel any sympathy for someone who does something this impossibly stupid.[/QUOTE] If you try to tell me that you've never done anything stupid, you're either forgetful or outright full of shit.

[QUOTE=Blackizzle;36229382]Is this the same case from a few weeks ago where the kid was smug and unapologetic? Because if it is, I don't feel sorry for him at all.[/QUOTE] [quote]"I made a mistake," Deveau said Wednesday after his mother told the court he would not intentionally hurt anyone. "If I could take it back, I would take it back."[/quote] Sounds like he really did regret it.

[QUOTE=yawmwen;36234389]He will still be able to get a job and get into college. I don't think most colleges check for past criminal offenses. Also, the longer you have a felony record, the easier it is to get any job. Employers aren't as concerned with a crime committed 10 years ago versus 6 months ago.[/QUOTE] I can assure you the amount of jobs you will be able to get will severely decrease if you have "homicide" written all over you. With that said, I think this kid deserved his punishment because this shit needs to stop. Right now.

People might start taking this seriously now.

[QUOTE=ROBO_DONUT;36234458]If you try to tell me that you've never done anything stupid, you're either forgetful or outright full of shit.[/QUOTE] There's a difference between generally doing stupid things and doing stupid things that end up killing people.

My city's banned cell phone use while driving. Honestly ok with it. [editline]7th June 2012[/editline] Doesn't stop most people though, sadly. It's like a $300 fine though.

[QUOTE=ROBO_DONUT;36234258]I don't think it's the length of the prison term that matters here. He will never be able to get a job or get into college now. It basically destroys his life entirely. I don't think 'convicted of homicide' looks very good on an application. As stupid as I think this kid is, and as much as I want to punch every shitty teen driver in their smug faces, I actually feel a little bad for him. Every kid does some stupid shit, and he was just unlucky enough to learn his lesson the hardest way possible instead of learning it some less tragic way (like taking out a mailbox or something).[/QUOTE] Then what do you do in a case like this?

[QUOTE=Sir Whoopsalot;36234667]There's a difference between generally doing stupid things and doing stupid things that end up killing people.[/QUOTE] Not really. If you're stupid enough to do something that could possibly get yourself hurt, you're stupid enough to do something that could possibly get someone else hurt. People generally don't think about the consequences when they're doing stupid things, otherwise they probably wouldn't do them at all. It's just dumb luck whether you nudge another car's bumper or mow down an old man. [editline]7th June 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=Funcoot;36234734]Then what do you do in a case like this?[/QUOTE] They're doing what has to be done. That doesn't mean it isn't sad.

[QUOTE=ROBO_DONUT;36234761]Not really. If you're stupid enough to do something that could possibly get yourself hurt, you're stupid enough to do something that could possibly get someone else hurt. People generally don't think about the consequences when they're doing stupid things, otherwise they probably wouldn't do them at all. It's just dumb luck whether you nudge another car's bumper or mow down an old man. [editline]7th June 2012[/editline] They're doing what has to be done. That doesn't mean it isn't sad.[/QUOTE] I agree. I think the two year sentence isn't necessarily out of line, but I think they should purge his record of the felony after he leaves... to at least give him a shot at life afterwards.

[QUOTE=Trainbike;36229458]I hope you got her plate and reported her.[/QUOTE] That goes without saying. I gave the information to the people in the car she hit (yes, there were people inside the parked car when she hit it). I saw them again the next day. They told me they had the police involved and thanked me again for the information. I hope the girl gets what she deserves.

Why isn't it illegal in america?

[QUOTE=FlubberNugget;36234845]Why isn't it illegal in america?[/QUOTE] I'm pretty sure it is in most states. But it's like obeying traffic laws in general -- kids don't follow them because the 'worst they can get' is a modest ticket. [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texting_while_driving#United_States]Wikipedia[/url] In my state -- $100 to $250 fine. But I'd like to say that I don't think driving up the fines would do any good. The people who get it, the responsible drivers, won't text and drive regardless of the fine. The ones who do text and drive won't understand the seriousness of it regardless of how high the fine is. They'd just be more likely to act like a retard it in a state with more lenient laws. The correct way to handle it would be to make sure that kids understand the responsibilities that come with driving a one-ton steel death machine when they take drivers' ed.

[QUOTE=DamagePoint;36229555]I can't believe he [i]only[/i] got a year in prison for senselessly ending someone's life.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE]Judge Stephen Abany sentenced the teen to two and a half years on the vehicular homicide charge[/QUOTE] Two and a half years is a very long time. I can't even remember that far back.