Texting While Driving Kills: Here's One Grim Example

 

 The photo above serves as a harsh reminder of the consequences of texting while driving. The unfinished text, never sent, was typed by 22-year-old Alexander Heit as he was driving through a small town in Colorado earlier this month. 

 Before Heit had a chance to finish typing the text, his car drifted onto the wrong side of the road.

Before Heit had a chance to finish typing the text, his car drifted onto the wrong side of the road. Realizing his mistake, he overcorrected, quickly turning the steering wheel in an attempt to move his vehicle back into the right lane. He lost control of the car and it veered off the highway, rolling and flipping until it came to a stop.
Alex didn't survive the accident, dying a short time later in a hospital.
According to Greeley police, "Witnesses stated he seemed to have his head down ... a westbound vehicle slowed and moved over just before Mr. Heit looked up." It was too late.



Police found Heit's iPhone in the wreckage, with the unfinished text displayed as you see here. "Sounds good my man, seeya soon, ill tw," the text reads.
In a statement to Greeley police, Sharon Heit, Alexander's mother, said, "I can't bear the thought of anyone else having to go through something like this." She continued,

“Please, vow to never, NEVER text and drive. In a split second you could ruin your future, injure or kill others, and tear a hole in the heart of everyone who loves you. And in honor of Alex’s memory, please do something kind for a stranger who needs help, as Alex always wished for a world where people were kinder to each other.”

Alexander Heit's life was cut short, leaving behind his classmates at the University of Northern Colorado where he was studying audiology. He was said to be a good student, liked snowboarding and hiking and had a quick sense of humor.
We can all learn something from this. As a parent whose child was in a serious accident because of her texting and driving, I have first-hand experience with this careless act that makes it more dangerous for everyone on our streets and highways.
It's not just young people who are guilty of texting while driving, either. A recent study showed that adults are getting into the act, texting and driving even more than teens.

 Please, don't text and drive.