Florida man sentenced to 30 years after fatal texting and driving crash

A Florida man was sentenced to 30 years in prison after a fatal crash that led to the death of a 9-year-old boy. He was found guilty of vehicular homicide and reckless driving. It is the first texting-and-driving case that has gone to trial in the state.
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#NBCNews #Florida #Crash

[@Wellfitaj]

Please stop texting and driving 😢

[@DrReginaldFinleySr]

Sadly, they all think that they have control and can do just that. I see it dozens of times on the road every single day. Scares the crap out of me. I hate driving because of it. Just going to work, there are at least two to three accidents. This has got to stop!

[@vikkistar3104]

​@@DrReginaldFinleySrpeople die from texting while driving but yet people still do it

[@dragonsboon2316]

I thought 30 years was a bit harsh at first and then I found out he didn’t just send a text. He was going 80 mph texting, downloading apps, and paying bills. This wasn’t a momentary lapse in judgement sending one text. This was a complete disregard for anyone surrounding him

[@reprovedcandy]

30 years is still harsh. people get less for actual intentional premeditated murder in some parts of the country

[@warrensmith3070]

He's got plenty time to reflect on his irresponsible actions now...hope it acts as a deterrent to others

[@misslovelyy7277]

​@@reprovedcandy still harsh? Good.

[@msunje9862]

@@reprovedcandynope it is justice

[@naudianeels1328]

​@@reprovedcandy You wouldn't be saying that if this had been YOUR son. Or any one of your loved ones 💔😒🙏

[@4seeableTV]

I like that the family turned down a settlement offer from the guy, and pressed for charges. He's only sorry for himself.

[@ajspice]

People who think others lack empathy lack it themselves. I hate people who say this. You're also a "no one gets involved to help" kind of person too, aren't ya?

[@eustab.anas-mann9510]

​@@ajspiceFollowing your logic you must lack empathy as well, since you implied that OP lacks empathy and you posited that "people who think others lack empathy lack it themselves".

[@ajspice]

@@eustab.anas-mann9510 I don't even love my own family. Did that clear things up, cupcake?

[@xI2eLoaDeDx]

Your definitely not a smart one bud if you think they don’t also get money.

[@johnwaffleh2p70]

But it’s selfish

[@jayjohnston398]

I salute the judge who gave this ruling !!!

[@kylejackson5927]

Yea while they text and drive on the way home

[@audraarndt1824]

Everyday i see drivers with a phone in their face, angers me so much. I saw a school bus driver doing that.

[@Bringthewinter]

Always keep your eyes on the road. If it’s a 15 minute commute or a 4 hour trip, anything can happen. Imagine yourself in an arena where everyone is swinging battle axes and looking down even for a second can mean losing your head-that’s what driving is.

[@omax5281]

This is why driving gives me anxiety, I can't trust other drivers to do their part in being safe.

[@kurtcameron723]

Serves him right......Drivers who text while behind the wheel are potential murderers. It's worse than DUI...

[@4seeableTV]

Yep. When I pass a person moving in and out of their lane, I look over and see them on their phones.

[@stoptheviolence3358]

At least DUI drivers are looking at the road sometimes but cell phone drivers have their eyes completely off the road

[@mlee40738]

He wasn't just texting. He was downloading software and paying bills!! 😲

[@321snoot]

@FelipeMontoya-gp2ue But texting while driving is most likely much more prevalent than DUI.

[@valerierodger]

@Felipe Montoya you couldn’t be more wrong. Texting and driving is far more dangerous. And while the number of impaired driving injuries decreases every year, the number of distracted, driving injuries increases. This isn’t a matter of opinion, it’s and demonstrated by statistics and research. Driving while texting is six times more dangerous than driving while impaired. When you reach the law legal limit of alcohol, your reaction is slowed by 12%. Writing a text message slows your reaction by 35%. Drivers who are texting react 23% slower than intoxicated drivers.

[@d.f.9064]

Stop phones from working in moving cars.

[@lisabishop6266]

As much as i hate when my daughter talks through her car to me, its SO much easier as she isnt distracted! And either 1 of us can and do say, " call me back when the car is parked"!

[@williamshaw5388]

About time. Florida roads are a nightmare. It’s like mad max here in Orlando.

[@wolf17238]

William Shaw Florida is a nightmare period.

[@williamshaw5388]

@@wolf17238 yup. And you can thank all the yankee conservatives and corrupt fascist Cubans that have moved here. Frankly all of the panhandle and Miami can fall into the Gulf.

[@peterdonnelly6804]

So sad, rest in peace kid. The driver has been prosecuted for DUI previously so the " i would gladly change places" with the victim is an attempt for leniency and holds no weight.

[@d.f.9064]

I was sitting in my sailboat off Key West, a beautiful day, my hatches open wide. A giant motor yacht screamed by sending a giant wake into my sailboat and interior, the driver staring at his phone.

[@562LA2THEBAY]

Imagine that

[@DrizztDdn]

Voice commands should not be used either. The phone should be turned off while driving to prevent someone from using it while driving.

[@The_Quaalude]

Bro was running a whole PC while driving ☠️

[@magna116]

I was hit on my motorcycle by a texting women. I am injured for life. I got a lousy $12k.

[@earthstewardude]

you should have gotten $250,000

[@valerierodger]

That’s why my insurance covers me in case the other driver is uninsured or under-insured It was bad enough when I started riding. You kind of get used to assuming that other vehicles can’t see you. But with the rise of distracted driving due to devices, I am amazed at how many people apparently can’t even see me when I’m in a truck or SUV right beside them.

[@aaronfield7899]

What I'm wondering is how did he get his license back if he was convicted of a DUI before?

[@bigmac22ify]

Takes a couple of dui to permanently lose your license

[@e.c-s8611]

Jeez poor family had to suffer this loss. So courageous to turn down a settlement and go for a trial. The only thing he wasn't doing while driving was eating a donut, combing his hair and fixing dinner while smoking a cigarette. And he had a previous driving while under the influence.

[@LastCommodore]

Ouch. That's longer than some murder sentences.

[@wilhoit]

Well technically that is what he did!

[@JuanLovesChrist]

​@@wilhoitbut not "intentional"

[@gcelosegui]

Having a dog on the lap should be diatracted driving

[@Gabster1990]

Poor family. RIP Logan, gone too soon!

[@TOPDadAlpha]

Incredible waste.... Infuriates me

[@thelovely1]

I'm so glad serious punishments are being handed down. As a bus operator I see so many people on their phones while driving. They act like it's perfectly legal. I've even seen police officers on their phones while driving. I've seen people watching movies and get upset when you honk at them to go. It's ridiculous and dangerous and nobody cares until somebody dies. Also that giant computer screen with all the pretty graphics in those Teslas should be outlawed. People really need to focus while driving.

[@rainacherienne1010]

My ex bf literally plays games on his phone while driving. Every time I asked him to stop and he was getting mad at me. He totaled cars several times already.

[@naudianeels1328]

I'm glad he's your ex. He sounds completely selfish & not the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree 💔

[@mizzury54]

Next, he may "total" a human.

[@eh4252]

How irresponsible your ex is

[@alanf8622]

And you did nothing about it. GG

[@rainacherienne1010]

Agreed with everyone here. Unfortunately it’s very difficult to change anyone.

[@b.1162]

I've never even heard of texting that results in a fatality get more than 5-10 years in the entire nation. Vehicular manslaughter is treated as a joke 99% of the time. Edit: Apparently, he wasn't texting, he was messing with phone apps. In many places, that wouldn't be unlawful as the law only refers to texting. That's why this family and others are working to change the law to reflect that simply HOLDING a mobile device while driving is dangerous.

[@The_Quaalude]

He was doing a lot more than texting 🤣

[@valerierodger]

In the majority of states, there is a total ban on the use of handheld devices buy a driver, separate from the prohibition on texting.

[@karendarel6281]

Now if they could stop idiots from driving with dogs on their laps.

[@PoeticJusticeSC]

Only 27 states have hands free laws in place? That's crazy.

[@bnln1939]

I pray this conviction stimulates laws and trials across our country. DUI's and Cell phone use have convictions have been way too lax for way too long!

[@lonestarr1707]

accepting a settlement offer is basically saying that's how much the kids life was worth in this type of situation where the defended was 1000% at fault

[@PizzaPlanet805]

Remember, put a good playlist and do not text and drive.

[@alienandroid2012]

That’s crazy, I’ve seen ppl with dui manslaughter get less years! I seen a limo driver get 15 years for killing more than 15 people! Just wow

[@danasmith1899]

Somebody's lobbying bulshit, this is more than murderers getting it was an accident, stupid and negligent though it be, still an accident

[@321snoot]

That was no "accident"; that was a choice.

[@leverfnosac6923]

I live in a hands free state. No one cares...people on their phones all the time.

[@321snoot]

Same here, on both counts. And the cops are usually nowhere to be found, except at the donut shop.

[@powersportsenthusiast1986]

im sick of seeing idiots texting and driving. as a whole people obviously arent responsible enough to own them

[@bubbagasm1]

Saw a story last week that a woman got 10 years in prison for killing 2 people in a DUI. I don't understand.

[@FirstnameLastname-tp4zw]

Their us no amount of justice in this planet that can replace a life.

[@mouayang6425]

Justice is served right for repeater offenders. 25 for death, 5 for text and driving = 30 year in prison. Unless he have money to bailout.

[@WhereOceansMeeet]

Every single person caught texting and driving should lose their license and be fined.

[@Jel0XD]

Was that text worth 30 years?

[@alypauley]

Why aren't others sentences this long

[@tacticalstrawberry4867]

Where's this type of punishment for the drunks that have multiple DUI's????

[@leefeegreenz]

He won't do close to 30. He might do 3-5 at the most. He'll get a residential type program with parole.

[@STCatchMeTRACjRo]

no parole in that state, if i remember correctly

[@alanf8622]

You tried so hard to be negative and it backfired :(

[@pk-76]

Some people will never learn. Years ago a young girl passed by me and her eyes completely on her phone. Approaching a stop light she was going the same rate of speed and not slowing down. She then slammed on her brakes, swerved into the grass median and almost hit a stopped car. After the light turned green I pass her and sure enough back on her phone not paying attention.

[@danielhartin7680]

Not to be too nit picky, but if she "nearly avoided" a stopped car, that means she hit it.

[@pk-76]

@@danielhartin7680 Better? LOL

[@whiqeddik7615]

Poor Logan and may the family receive qnd find justice

[@blackflyingfox3365]

I wonder how many people here in the comments are guilty of driving "buzzed". Driving hungover and a little drunk from the night before (alcohol stays in your system for hours. Even after you think you slept it off). Putting on lipstick, messing with the radio, eating etc. I don't even have a car and I do not trust drivers. That's why I always walk against traffic so I can get out off the way. Because I can't trust people to move over.

[@Mr_Fairdale]

Remember the truck driver who ignored the signs about heavy breaking, then his brakes burned out, then crashed and killed 3 people in Colorado? He got like 110 years and EVERYONE freaked out saying it was too much. His sentence got reduced to like 15 or 20 years. But now, people seem happy with this sentence. I don't know what the right punishment is, but public outrage sure is selective and inconsistent

[@ronaldcole7415]

27 years living in Florida I can tell you Florida police in the South part of the state don't enforce traffic laws, hardly at all. Several police have tood me their under orders not to give out tickets except in the most egregious cases. Like when someone dies or almost dies. This to save court cost money. Drive around South Florida. You'll see thousands of drivers cutting the line on exit ramps. Police don't issue tickets even when they themselves are watching these people cut the line. You'll see people parked in nearly every fire lane in front of buildings with cops driving right by them. You'll see people park in handicapped spots without handicapped plates or plaques with police watching them, doing nothing. I've even seen a cop right in front of me on the turnpike watch an accident directly in front of him and drive around it and keep going. Insurance agents have told me this problem along with the state handing out drivers licenses to people like candy without requiring a driving test and that South Florida has 400,000 people who drive without a license and no insurance is the reason Florida pays the highest car insurance in the country. South Florida police not strictly enforcing laws are the root cause of every traffic problem the state has. Including this man texting. I'd bet he's been seen texting dozens of times before by police but they did nothing .

[@toms4806]

Should be a $1000 fine for texting and driving! That would stop it!

[@321snoot]

Good luck finding a cop to enforce it, though. They're all at the donut shop.

[@nighle160]

I got into an accident, and I was sure the other driver was on her phone. But since I was not hurt, the police did not even check. I offered my phone for them to check.

[@baseballumpires6901]

Huh? You offered your phone to check if the other driver was on her phone. That makes no sense. Your phone won’t show a thing about the other drivers phone. Unless you are on the phone talking to the other driver b

[@paulngo4631]

Cars are suppose to break when they are about to rear end someone. Where is the lawsuit to the car company.

[@arthurtomczak8474]

If you need to talk pull over . The world will not come to a end if you are not moving and not paying attention to what you are suppose to be doing .. driving is a PRIVILEGE !!!!!! Wake up .

[@erichenry386]

RIP Logan

[@BlackTarH]

Over sentenced. No justice.

[@abelardogreen]

Get off your phone while driving. You do it

[@RebleGreyWarden]

Drunk driver over here

[@mia1shooter]

We need "Logans law"...mandatory 30 year sentence for distracted driving.

[@Aflacist]

Cody brown got two years in prison for speeding 123mph and killing Jennifer Malm

[@roylee5391]

30 years good! I hope more judges follow this path and starts a new movement. No more 5-10 years bs for taking life and destroying families.

[@ahill4642]

Bravo going to a precedent-setting trial, family. ❤️

[@benthungin8949]

until its you in jail for 30 years for texting while driving

[@mysteriousjz]

In Florida, DUI manslaughter gets four years and vehicular manslaughter gets maximum 15 years. Why 30 years here?

[@liamwatson5125]

Texting and driving kills.

[@MikeThaPhilosopher]

Looks like everybody is going to be in prison cause pretty much everybody texts and drives. I drive for a living so I see it ALL day EVERYDAY. Especially in Texas

[@Didenne]

I’ve been told I’m stuck up when I’m with my friends, when I beg them to get off their phones while I’m in the car. There’s no reason you need your phone in one hand, and your other hand on the steering wheel. You can put your own life in danger on your own time, not mine.

[@homecomp6850]

Everyone texts while driving as far as I know. . .

[@Lauren-vd4qe]

Arent they allowed to have a trial AND a settlement?

[@fatbackfunk]

This is all mentioned in the video you're commenting on.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKuueqqQf8RnbbM

[@maraleitzen1758]

Lots of cases now resulting in murder charges for texting and driving. About Fn time. Put the phone down or go behind bars. Simple.

[@user-js6ch1mf8g]

Drunk guys get less. He could've sneezed and it happened. This is sad. For everyone.

[@alanf8622]

Clearly you didn't even watch it before coming to the comments and acting a complete fool

[@ninjapirate123]

I'm sad that it's still happening today

[@justincheney5125]

I would put money on it that those parents have never picked up a phone while driving!!!

[@100peopledislikedyourcomme6]

The criminals claims he would happily trade places with the kid if he could, nah bro you wouldn't even plead guilty so stop the lying smh

[@DORAEMON-bw8jk]

This man made a mistake on that day. Give him a break. 30 years is a bit harsh. Don't you agree?

[@svongsa]

An appropriate sentence.

[@frankcastle5737]

I didn't know a settlement offer was available if a crime had been committed. Since when is that ever the case.

[@baseballumpires6901]

It’s called a plea. Nearly ever case that is pretty clear cut the defense tries to get a plea instead of going to trial.

[@dloren6183]

Now Do the same for dui

[@evanbrad7327]

I been he will be eligible for parole in 15 right?

[@evelynwells-rk1ed]

No Texting or Driving Please Everyone No!!

[@PalmBeachDog]

It’s an addiction. And these laws mean nothing if they’re not enforced.

[@colombiana2710]

Why does everyone think they caan multitask while driving.

[@bgregg55]

A distracted driver killed himself & two other people about a mile from my home. It's happening everywhere.

[@ge2623]

The illusion of control mixed with risk vs. reward. It's great to be Human.

[@brandondunn726]

I even see officer son their phones while driving call and report nothing ever back. And they like never pull people over on their phones they could make their quota so fast ffs.

[@RJ-is9ko]

Ban cell phones.

[@LeafsAndCars]

Condolences to the victims family. Rest in peace.

[@jessicaatkins3173]

39??

[@drknow608]

There is no excuse for texting while driving, everyone knows it is against the law and also why it's illegal. Someone who does this has made a choice and from what I can see that choice is based on either "I won't get caught" or " I'm such a good driver that I'll never have an accident" ; crying when you've killed someone is a little late and far too easy; if you were really felt anything for your victims you wouldn't have done it in the first place. In short. I'm really sick of seeing people who provoke accidents and then bursting into tears when they're caught.

[@sarahs1849]

Most of us are guilty of using our phone on the road, whether it's the GPS, texting, calling...I think we all can, and should, do better.

[@2enchant]

Why are you putting your CARELESS cellphone use on other drivers? That's you and not me. Just say you need to do better..

[@sarahs1849]

@@2enchant I only use my GPS while driving, and that alone can be a distraction. You being so defensive makes me feel that you're guilty of all of the above lol, chill.

[@jamesgood2380]

I don't know how I feel about that 🤔 😕

[@zoemayne]

So I don't use my phone in my car but...This is excessive. It's not like he was drunk. DUI's wouldn't even get this kind of sentence. This is imbalanced. Maybe he had a public defender.

[@scarpfish]

If you have to multitask anything with driving, you should never be allowed to drive. If you have to multitask everything with doing some activity that involves your phone, in some respects, you're already in a prison. Spending 30 years in a physical one will be nothing.

[@dyanshane]

I do NOT agree with the talking on your cell phone being a distraction if you don't dial, and use voice to do it. It is not different than talking to someone in your car. BUT, I totally agree with making texting and driving no different than drinking and driving. I was rear ended at a red light by a texter, 60MPH. Then pushed into the car in front of me. I am a physical mess. Yes, I am doing something about it, but, I am seriously disgusted with the lax texting laws. At least drunks are trying to see the road, texters are not. They are MORE dangerous.

[@chrisdogg3102]

Unfortunately he probably do less than 7 years, he not violent, he wont do 30.

[@kyoung5600]

30 years without parole? Is it really a minimum of 30 years? By the way, Florida sucked in a lot of things, I wouldn't live there, life's too short.

[@patrickwalsh4615]

florida is out of control!

[@taylorhession1905]

California and New York are worse.

[@patrickwalsh4615]

@@taylorhession1905 read third way, the two decade red state murder problem. You are wrong

[@novajtv]

30 years IS excessive when you're letting rapers and murderers out because you dont have room

[@alanf8622]

Your logic is as bad as your grammar.

[@SRR0247]

Not that you should text, but if you are, don't floor it during. He definitely got what he deserved..

[@danielbenitez6985]

Sad that this was the most serious ruling to date regarding death by distracted driver. Ppl just been skipping by on what is MURDER. You can say you didn’t mean to do it as long as you live, but the fact that you choose to pay more attention to your phone than the road says otherwise.

[@chanabayla1823]

We need to bring back the death penalty

[@4daluvofnikki]

Did Florida finally pass a no texting while driving law? Because they did not have one before. A young woman hit my Mom’s car, while at a stop light and she did not get in any trouble.

[@meng6315]

This should have not happened but the lesson that we learned are the one that we must go through it to feel to understand it. The one that people lectured us about it, we will never learn, period. Even if this becomes the law, stupid people will still do it and don’t care as long as they don’t get caught. You do stupid things, you win stupid prizes like this guy. Not worth it people.

[@The_Quaalude]

Free em‼️

[@bornfuct]

5 bucks he wont actually do more than 2 yrs....

[@berkeley8988]

Paying a bill 🫢

[@audraarndt1824]

Wow