OSP: Lane County fatal crash involved cellphone use
MONROE, Ore. (AP) – Authorities say a woman using her cellphone while driving was killed after she rolled her vehicle, was ejected from her car and then run over by a passing motorist.
Lt. Cari Boyd, a state police spokeswoman, says the fatal accident Wednesday night on state Highway 200 outside Monroe is the first investigation by state police to involve a distracted driver since Oregon’s new law limiting cellphone use in cars took effect Oct. 1.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports ( http://bit.ly/2ytNylK ) the 42-year-old woman was driving about 9 p.m. when her Ford Bronco suddenly veered off the road and rolled. Police say the Junction City woman was ejected from the Bronco and struck by a second northbound car, which was unable to avoid hitting her.
Investigators believe the woman was talking on her cellphone when she lost control of her car.
Under Oregon’s new distracted driving law, drivers are prohibited from holding any mobile device while behind the wheel of a moving car. Navigation and music apps only can be used if you keep both hands on the steering wheel.
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OSP news release:
On October 4, 2017 at approximately 9:00pm, the Oregon State Police and emergency workers responded to State Route 200 near milepost 4.7 (Territorial Hwy/Ferguson Road) for a single fatality crash.
The preliminary investigation indicates a Ford Bronco, driven by Carrie L. Hitt (age 42 from Junction City), was northbound when the vehicle left the roadway. The vehicle rolled and HITT was ejected from the vehicle. A second northbound vehicle, a Honda CRV, driven by Nadine M. Killmaster (age 32 from Yakima, Washington) was unable to avoid HITT and struck her in the middle of the northbound lane. HITT was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Cell phone usage, by HITT, is being investigated as a contributing factor to the crash. OSP was assisted by ODOT incident response, Junction City Police Department, and Lane Rural & Fire Authority.
The Oregon State Police wants to help keep all traveling motorist safe please remember on October 1, 2017 the Cell Phone Law changes went into effect in Oregon those changes include:
Drivers are not allowed to use any phone function that requires holding or touching
Cell phone mounts that cradle your phone on your dash are considered a hands-free device and functions that use of a single touch or swipe to activate or deactivate the device or a function of the device are acceptable.
Navigation Apps, Music Apps can only be used if you keep both hands on the wheel
Just standing still in traffic, stopping at a red light or a stop sign isn’t enough, your car must be parked safely.
Calling 911 in case of an emergency is only okay if no one else can initiate the call.
The Law includes cell phones, tablets, kindles, laptops, GPS units, mobile music players or any electronic device.
If you are under 18, you can’t use anything while driving, even hands-free
1st violation is $260.00 fine, 2nd violation or 1st if it involves a wreck is $435.00 fine and 3rd offense is 6 months in jail or up to $2500.00 fine.
Hands-free or built in devices are allowed under the law
Other exemptions include those making medical emergency calls, truck and bus drivers following federal rules, two-way radio use by school drivers and utility drivers during the scope of their employment, police, fire, ambulance, and emergency vehicle operators during the scope of their employment and ham radio operators.
