Sunday, August 9, 2009

CELL PHONES

A Cleveland, Ohio bus driver, who was using a cell phone when she hit a pedestrian and killed him, has been indicted on aggravated Vehicular Homicide charges reports The Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Angela, Williams, age 49, was making a left turn while using her cell phone when she hit and killed Patrick Merrrill, age 59 who was in a crosswalk at the time of the pedestrian accident.

If Williams is convicted of Vehicular Homicide, she could serve up to five years in prison.

This bus accident was not the first pedestrian accident that Williams was involved in. In 2006, Williams hit a pedestrian with her bus, causing minor injures. After the 2006 accident, Williams was fired but she was re-hired after her union appealed.

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority changed their protocols after each accident. After the first accident, they required bus drivers to pause before making a left turn. After the second accident, they required drivers to honk before making left turns.

In Washington State, Vehicular Homicide can be charged if a person was killed when a driver was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or driving with reckless disregard for the safety of others.

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