Distracted Trucker Killed Officer In Horrific Highway Accident

On behalf of Lovett Law Firm posted in Truck Accidents on Tuesday, November 12, 2013.

Distracted driving is among the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents nationwide, and remains a primary target for safety advocates, along with drunk driving. Distracted driving is something we’re used to hearing about with respect to motorists driving smaller vehicles, but it also happens with commercial vehicle operators.

A truck driver who caused a horrific truck accident in Arizona back in May has become a representative of the kind of behavior that safety advocates are deeply concerned about. The 33-year-old trucker had been driving at 65 miles per hour on a highway when he crashed into a police cruiser, killing an officer. Altogether, the accident damaged three police cars and two fire department trucks.

According to investigators, a dash camera and cell phone records revealed that immediately prior to the accident the trucker had been online looking at porn and social media sites. What is worse, the trucker attempted to hide that fact by placing his wallet over the camera, though his cell phone can be seen flying out of his hand during the crash.

At present, Arizona does not have a distracted driving law, but the trucker faces numerous charges, including a count of second-degree murder, six counts of criminal damage, and 13 counts of endangerment. He has reportedly pleaded not guilty to those charges.

It isn’t known whether any civil suits will be filed over the incident. There is no doubt that the family of the deceased officer deserves to be compensated for their loss, which was caused by such grievous negligence.

Source: Huffington Post, “Jorge Espinoza, Distracted By Porn, Allegedly Killed Officer Tim Huffman In Crash,” Sebastian Murdock, November 4, 2013.