Fatal Accident Involving Teen Driver Shows Dangers Of Distracted Driving

A teenage driver in Connecticut is under arrest after authorities said the distraction of a handheld cellphone caused her to fatally hit a 44-year-old jogger. The victim’s father blames his son’s death on “stupidity.” The death of Kenneth Dorsey in Norwalk and the subsequent criminal charges against the 16-year-old driver come as other states are considering measures to force both teenagers and adults to disconnect from cellphones and other electronic devices before getting behind the wheel.

Dorsey, an avid runner, was on a morning jog and training for a marathon on March 24 when he was fatally struck by the SUV the girl was driving, according to his father, Leo Dorsey.

The New Canaan girl, whom police are not naming because of her age, was charged Saturday with negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, using a handheld telephone under age 18 while driving and failure to drive in the proper lane. Police declined to say exactly what she was doing on the phone, only that they found evidence she was using the keypad before Kenneth Dorsey was hit on a busy street.

“There’s no reason to use a phone while you’re driving a car,” Leo Dorsey told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “There is nothing out there that important. I totally, totally have to believe that these phones can be made to shut off if they’re moving. I’m pushing for phones that don’t work when they’re moving.” More in Star Ledger.

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4 COMMENTS

  1. You would think that stories like this would be enough for people to leave their cell phones alone while driving.
    This article should be handed out to every teenager and every high school, college to help these youngsters re-think their actions while driving.
    This article needs to also be passed around to adults as well, because we all know there not any better than teenagers.
    I hope Lakewood takes this article serious!!!

  2. Unfortunately, tragedies like this are very common – way too common – everywhere in the US (and the world). Everyone everywhere has to take this article – and this issue very seriously. Where ever I drive – no matter what city or state, I always see people that are driving while busy with their phones, etc.

  3. although there has been already THOUSANDS of accidents of people texting while driving, HAS ANYONE STOPPED? have we learnt our lesson before tragedy strikes us C”V? so what is a person telling Hashem? he is saying that although my neighbor/friend-that lives right near me-C”V got hurt because he was texting or not wearing his reflector, Hashem still can’t get me to stop texting etc… thus leaving hashem no choice but to C”V put a tragedy on YOU C”V

    BOTTOM LINE:save yourself before something happens & don’t leave hashem with no choice but to put a Klala on you C”V

  4. They should pass a law here in New Jersey also how many times have i seen people driving while using their cell phones. Don’t they believe in “BLUETOOTH” a hands free device used in your ear. They really need to come to Monmouth County to see for themselves……I use an ear piece and I feel safe as a driver.

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