Twenty year old Abby Sletten, is facing charges of negligent homicide in North Dakota. She is alleged to have been accessing Facebook on her cellphone when she wrecked into another vehicle, killing an elderly woman, in May.
Ms. Sletten is alleged to have been driving over 80 miles per hour on Interstate 29 when she rear-ended Jennifer Meyers’ SUV. Ms. Meyers’ daughter, and her 89 year old grandmother, were passengers at the time of the accident. Ms. Meyers, of Minnesota, was slowing to turn, with her signal on – per a witness – when Abby Sletten’s Ford Escape crashed into her without any attempt to brake, also per the witness, and reaffirmed by the lack of skid marks on the road.
Meyers’ grandmother, Phyllis Gordon, also a resident of Minnesota, perished at the scene. She had been riding in the front seat. Jennifer and her daughter were treated for minor injuries at a local hospital.
Facebook Use While Driving
In the aftermath of the accident, investigators obtained a search warrant for Ms. Sletten’s smartphone. They then determined that she had been looking at her Facebook mobile app during the time frame of the accident. She is also alleged to have been sending text messages while driving. Ms. Sletten was arrested on August 27, as it is against North Dakota state law to compose or read electronic messages while driving.
New Jersey also prohibits texting and using handheld cell phones for drivers. New drivers are prohibited from all cell phone use.
A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 2011 survey determined that drivers 18-20 have the “highest incidence of crash or near-crash experience,” and they also report the highest level of cellular phone involvement at the time of a crash (or near crash).
Car Accident Injury Practice
We offer full-service legal counsel to people who have been injured in a car accident, whether as drivers, passengers or pedestrians. We will travel to the scene of your accident if necessary, and will work closely with expert witnesses, including accident reconstruction specialists, so that we can develop and present the strongest arguments for your full financial recovery.
We represent people who have suffered any type of injury in a car accident, from soft tissue trauma to serious and catastrophic loss, such as brain or spinal cord injury, paralysis, broken bones, burns and amputation or loss of limb. We also take wrongful death claims arising out of car accidents. We will help you pursue damages for all your losses, from lost wages and income to medical expenses, as well as physical pain and suffering.
Contact the New Jersey Wrongful Death Lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr
We offer a free initial consultation to every client. Appointments can be scheduled Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Evening and weekend meetings are also available upon request. We will come to the hospital or your home to meet with you if necessary.
Contact us online or call our office at 732-537-8570 to arrange a consultation.
