Captain Jason Berry
Government and Media Relations
(360) 596-4010 – office
(360) 596-4015 – fax
http://www.wsp.wa.gov
*** For Immediate Release***
Date:
February 4, 2011
Contact:
Trooper Guy Gill
Phone:
(253) 606-1998
E-mail:
guy.gill@wsp.wa.gov
Child Passenger Injured in Texting-While-Driving Collision
Thurston County - On February 04, 2011, a 2 year-old female passenger was injured during a collision at the 600 block of School St SE. 29 year-old Tanya M. Bowers was driving a 2002 Nissan Altima southbound on School St. Bowers left the roadway, drove onto the shoulder, and struck a parked 1999 Ford F-350 pick-up head-on.
The 2 year-old female was not properly restrained in her car seat and when the collision occurred she struck the back of the front passenger seat receiving facial injuries. There was a 4 year-old boy in the back seat as well who was not injured. Bowers was also not wearing a seatbelt and sustained facial injuries.
After locating a cell phone on the driver’s floorboard that had a half completed text message on the screen, Troopers questioned Bowers about texting while driving. Bowers admitted that she was texting when the collision occurred. Bowers will be charged with using a wireless device while driving, failure to wear a seatbelt, and failure to use a child restraint device.
The Washington State Patrol is dedicated to public safety and advocates safe driving through the education of our citizens. We will continue to educate drivers on the dangers of texting while driving and the importance of seatbelt and child restraint usage.
