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Driver Distracted by Text Message Crashes on I-74

texting-accidentThe afternoon commute on Tuesday slowed to a crawl on Interstate 74 near the Elmwood exit. Traffic stood at a near standstill for more than an hour while law enforcement officials investigated the crash.

Knox County Sheriffs said a driver was distracted by a text message moments before he crashed his truck into trees.

The accident occurred at 1:30 p.m., and the driver was pinned in the wreckage. A LifeFlight helicopter responded to the scene as a precautionary measure. The driver was ultimately freed of the wreckage and immediately transported to OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria for medical treatment.

The driver sustained serious injuries to the shoulder and hip area, but is expected to live. The accident remains under investigation.

The name of the driver has not been revealed, but he is reported to be a young man in his 20s from Indiana.

While the distracted driver in this case did not injure anyone else but himself, driving while texting can be a dangerous hazard to everyone who shares the road.

Distracted Driving Awareness Month

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and this is a perfect example of why we should all avoid texting and driving or using handheld devices when driving.

It takes only a single moment to ruin your life and the lives of others who also happen to be on the road with you.

More than 3,000 Americans lose their lives in distracted driving accidents each year. The National Highway Traffic Administrations (NHTSA) studies reveal that driving while paying attention to a text message or a phone call, even when using a hands-free device is very dangerous.

The NHTSA and various studies have revealed that drivers miss 50 percent of the information that is around them when they are distracted: this is true whether their hands are on the wheel or not.

At GWC Injury Lawyers, our auto accident lawyers have witnessed the toll that distracted driving takes on auto accident victims and their families.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by a negligent and distracted driver, contact our law firm for a free case consultation.

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