Orange County, California Distracted Driving Accident: Costa Mesa Driver Found Guilty in 2008 Newport Beach Car Crash that Killed Nanny
A California jury has found Martin Burt Kuehl guilty of killing Martha Ovalle during a Newport Beach car accident in August 2008. The 32-year-old nanny was crossing Westcliff Drive when she was fatally struck by the Costa Mesa driver.
Prosecutors had accused Kuehl of engaging in distracted driving when he accidentally hit Ovalle with his car. The 42-year-old motorist had been sending and receiving texts within the 30 minutes leading up to the Orange County, California pedestrian accident.
However, the jury said that the texting while driving allegations did not contribute to their decision. They did, however, cite witness testimony stating that the Costa Mesa motorist did not step on the gas right away when a traffic light turned green. He also reportedly drifted lanes before striking Ovalle. Both served as indicators that Kuehl was engaged in distracted driving.
Distracted Driving Accidents
Talking on a cell phone, text messaging, surfing the Internet, eating with both hands, looking for songs on an iPod, putting on makeup, and reading are distracted driving activities that can kill motorists and pedestrians and may land the distracted driving in jail.
A Few Distracted Driving Facts:
• According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, drivers who fiddle with handheld devices increase their chances of hurting themselves by up to four times.
• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that the 20 and under age group, who are the most inexperienced motorists, are the ones least likely to drive while distracted.
• Per Carnegie Mellon, a distracted driver lowers the amount of brain activity that is connected to driving by 37%.
No one intends to hurt anyone by making a phone call or sending a text. But the truth is that distracted driving can kill people.
Costa Mesa driver found guilty of killing nanny in 2008 road accident, Daily Pilot, January 27, 2010
Distracted Driving: Orange County, California Judge Says Costa Mesa Driver Accused of Texting Must Stand Trial for Newport Beach Pedestrian Accident, California Injury Lawyers, September 30, 2009
Related Web Resources:
Distraction.gov
Distracted Driving, National Safety Council