On Sunday morning around 3am, a 21-year-old Westport man was involved in a truck accident on Route 6. He reportedly hit a utility pole while replying to a text message. His 2001 Ford Ranger rolled over and trapped him inside. Dartmouth police say the driver was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford. The extent of his injuries was unknown.
Massachusetts’ text messaging while driving ban went into effect on September 30. Local police say this was the first serious motor vehicle accident involving text in Dartmouth.
The driver was charged with sending or receiving a text message while driving, failing to stay within marked lanes, and failing to wear a seat belt. The penalty for a first texting while driving offense is $100. That fine increases to $500 for the third offense.
Source: Westport man crashes truck while sending text, WickedLocal.com, October 24, 2010
Contact the Massachusetts truck accident attorneys at Altman & Altman if you have been injured on the road.