Woman Charged With Homicide After Surfing Facebook While Driving
While driving, if you look at the car next to you chances are you will see the driver on his/her phone. Some are talking without a headphone. Others might be texting, Tweeting, or updating their Facebook statues. It seems the threat of getting a traffic ticket does not deter these drivers. All those public service announcements saying being on your phone while driving is dangerous don’t work either. Well here is something that might make you think twice next time you want to use your phone to text while driving: going to prion for negligent homicide.
On May 27th Abby Sletten was driving around 85mph, on interstate 29 in North Dakota. Failing to stop, she plowed her Ford Escape in to a stopped SUV. The 89 year old driver of the SUV died on impact. Fortunately the driver’s grand-daughter and great-granddaughter survived.
A witness to the accident stated he was traveling at 80 mph when he saw Sletten pass by him. The witness also stated he saw the stopped SUV ahead and that Sletten never applied the brakes. The police obtained a warrant and searched Sletten’s cellphone. It was later alleged that at the time of the fatal crash Sletten was texting and viewing pictures on Facebook. Abby Sletten has been charged with negligent homicide.
What exactly is “negligent homicide?” In California negligent homicide is also known as Involuntary Manslaughter (Penal Code 192(a)). It is an unintentional killing that results from reckless conduct or occurs during the commission of an infraction or misdemeanor. If convicted, one could face up to four years in prison.
If you have been arrested for any type of crime, including involuntary manslaughter, you undoubtedly are worried about your future and your freedom. The single most important step you can take after an arrest is to contact an experienced lawyer. At the Law Offices of Arash Hashemi, we have earned a reputation for being tenacious in the courtroom. We provide you with experienced and aggressive counsel. Call us today at (310) 448-1529 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. Our office is in the Westside Towers, within a mile of Santa Monica and Westwood. We have flexible office hours, and we will visit you in jail to discuss your case.
