Text messenger charged

I read about this unfortunate story from Colorado a few days ago, but at that time there was uncertainty regarding criminal charges. A teenage driver is charged with careless driving causing death.

Why? Because the driver was text messaging and hit a bicyclist while doing so. The bicyclist died two days later after the accident. The maximum penalty is a one year prison sentence.

I found another article from the local county paper in Colorado where it happened. The Douglas County News-Press had more details and a picture of the car that hit the bicyclist. However, the article was before the bicyclist's death and subsequent criminal charges.

Here's another report from CNN News. This marked the second time the bicyclist had been hit by a car. The first time was while he was on a bike path, but he only suffered a broken ankle that time.

Add text messaging to the list of things a driver may be doing other than actually paying attention. Do you think the teenager involved or his/her friends now understand what it means to have both hands on the wheel?

The teenager in the accident must pay the maximum price for their actions. If there are no consequences for this carelessness imagine the message it sends to all other drivers. There should be no levity as the maximum penalty should be enforced. Otherwise, anything goes on the roads.