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Fatal Texting and Driving Accident in Florida Results in $8.8 Million to Victim’s Family

In 2008, a teen driver, 17 year old Cruz-Govin, crashed into another vehicle killing Myriam del Socorro Lopez.  The teen was charged with speeding and reckless driving, paid a $2,000 fine and lost his license for 6 months.  The jury has now awarded the Lopez family with $8.8 million, and the family hopes their case will at least bring more awareness to other drivers about the dangers of texting and driving.
Further investigation into the accident reveals that Cruz-Govin was texting at the time of the accident.  He sent 127 texts on the day of the accident and one as soon as two minutes before paramedics were called.
Unlike 35 US states that have already banned texting and driving, Florida does not ban cell phone use or texting while driving.   Texting and driving increases car accident risks by 2,300 percent, according to the National Transportation Safety Board research.  Research also shows that talking on the phone while driving creates the same level of risk as driving with a .08 percent blood alcohol level.
The accident investigation also revealed that texting while driving may not have been Cruz-Govin’s only distraction – there was also marijuana and cocaine found in the car, along with a half bottle of cough syrup.

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