Text messaging blamed in deadly B.C. crash
Last Updated: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 | 11:53 AM PT
CBC News
Police in Saanich, B.C., say text messaging was one of several factors that led to a young man's death in a recent head-on traffic collision.
Michael Edward Wolsynuk, 26, died Jan. 10 after he lost control of his pickup truck on the Trans-Canada Highway, north of the Town and Country Shopping Centre.
His truck crossed over a raised concrete median and ran into the path of a southbound full-size pickup just before 4 p.m. PT.
Police crash analysts later determined several factors contributed to the crash, including rain on the road and worn tires on the truck. The analysts also blamed driver distraction after determining that Wolsynuk had sent a text message from his mobile phone just moments before the collision.
Wolsynuk, who was not wearing his seatbelt, sustained massive head and neck injuries and died six days later in hospital.
The driver of the other truck, a 41-year-old Victoria man, went to the hospital with whiplash injuries and was later released. Police determined he was not at fault in the accident.
Saanich police and Wolsynuk's family issued a statement Tuesday asking drivers of all ages to focus on the road when driving and to keep their cellphones in their pocket or purse to avoid being distracted.
