you make the call - Mass. teen guilty in fatal texting-while-driving crash

[scootrd]

Too harsh a sentence , not harsh enough, sentence just right  -  you make the call.

A Massachusetts teenager was sentenced Wednesday to spend a year in jail for a fatal traffic accident that happened while he was texting. Aaron Deveau of Haverhill was sentenced to 2 ½ years behind bars with a year to serve and the remainder suspended for the February 2011 crash that took the life of Donald Bowley Jr., 55, of Danville, N.H., and seriously injured Bowley's girlfriend.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-06-06/massachusetts-texting-driving-sentence/55431460/1

[spikehorn]

Sounds about like the normal sentance for vehicular manslaughter

[lakota]

His stupidity ended someone's life so he deserves what he has coming.

[keith44]

Well I have mixed feelings...


On the one hand, Justice should not be an eye for an eye, but on the other hand the punishment must fit the crime.


So not being familiar with Massachusetts law I can only state my local laws.  All cell phone use is banned and treated similarly to DUI.  So if a drunk teenage driver and killed this man it would carry more than a simple year in jail.

[LunaticFringeInc]

I think he got off easy!
He broke the law.  He knew he was breaking the law when he was driving and texting.  He knew as a result that he could get in an accident and hurt or kill someone.  He did it anyways knowing full well the potential consequences of his actions.  As a result his blantant disregard for the law and safety of those around him,he killed another human being.
I think a innocent life is worth a lot more than 2 1/2 years, 40 hours Community Service and a license suspension.  At least I think my life is worth a little more than that to me and my family.  You may feel yours is worth less and thats cool if you do.  I just dont see it that way. 

[Couger]

 
I agree the punk got off easy.  Didn't look very remorseful in the courtroom, nor 'fearful.'
 
He caused three children to be orphaned, and a wife to be widowed needlessly.
 
 

[Swift One]

If Mass law says it's illegal to text and drive, then he got what he deserved.  Did he get off easy?  doubtful.  Probably just a regular person that is about to be put in a sea of trash for a year.  That by itself is going to be a tough road to manuver.  And he gets to live with the reality that he ended someone's life over a stupid text.  That can and will weigh on a person.

[Doublebass73]

Not harsh enough.

[DDZ]

The crime should be gross vehicular homicide, with jail time up to ten years. There are a lot of "just regular guys" that kill people every day while driving drunk. Texting is no different, it impairs your ability to drive safely. Driving laws are to be obeyed so people don't kill other people while driving. Its the reason for driving laws. Driving should take 100% of your concentration. Driving is not a right its a privilege, and if someone kills someone by doing something they shouldn't be doing while driving. The penalty should be high. I think the kid should have a few more  years of jail time tacked on, with about 20 years of community service. 
 Wonder what some of you think the penalty should be if it was your son, daughter, mother, father, etc.. that got killed by a texting driver. Its always easy to accept the sentence when its someone else that gets killed by someones negligence while driving.       

[Savage .250]

This kid killed somebody.......    Jail time. Lose of lic.  Some time you wonder if the punishment fits the crime.  They should have also included, no cell-phone for 15 yrs. J s/n.
   

[ceadersavage2]

Not  enought time and where is the rest .He should have been made to go to schools,an what ever to put the word out to others that text .DON'T

[keith44]

yeah that's not that effective

[r29l20]

Sounds about right.

[cwall]

I can honestly say that I did not have a texting problem with any of my four kids, because I would not allow texting on my accounts.  I think it is sad that parents do not have the guts to do what is best for their kids safety (and others).  It appears to me that so many parents are afraid to tell the little darlings NO.
You and I know that if it is available, a kid will use it.  That young man killed someone just as if had entered a store, closed his eyes, and started firing a weapon.  I think he got off very easy, and that his parents are guilty as well.
By the way none of my kids suffered permanent damage from not having texting.
Cwall

[Cuts Crooked]

He killed someone while breaking the law.......he should be imprisoned at least until his victim is no longer dead!

[r29l20]

He killed someone while breaking the law.......he should be imprisoned at least until his victim is no longer dead!

[briarpatch]

If you think he is a criminal now wait until he gets educated in the "system" and then gets out.
I dont know what is good or bad, no win either way but he will be useless to society from now on.