Last fall, just north of Lansing, Michigan, a 23-year-old woman named Mitzi Nelson crashed into and killed a 35-year-old bicyclist named Jill Byelich. On Wednesday, June 3, 2015, there was a sentencing hearing for Mitzi Nelson, during which she was put on probation and told that she is banned from using a cell phone for the next two years. According to CBS Detroit, Judge Stewart McDonald told Mitzi Nelson that, “having a cell phone is a privilege, not a right.” The ban given to Mitzi Nelson isn’t just for cell phones however, it also applies to any portable communication device.
In addition to the cell phone ban, Judge McDonald sentenced Nelson to 90 days in jail and 150 hours of community service. He also ordered her to speak to 20 driver’s education classes about the dangers of distracted driving and to pay $17,100 in restitution and fines. As reported by the Lansing State Journal, Nelson will serve the first 30 days of her jail sentence immediately, another 30 days in the spring, and the rest of her sentence over four holiday periods.
Distracted driving is a danger that should be taken very seriously. According to the Official US Government Website for Distracted Driving, in 2013, 3154 people were killed and around 424,000 were injured in motor vehicle accidents involving distracted driving. In addition to this, they reported that 10% of drivers under the age of 20, who were involved in fatal crashes, were reported as distracted at the time of the crash.
If you have been injured in a car crash because of distracted driving, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident lawyers are experienced in dealing with all types of auto accidents, and are always available to help you with questions about insurance problems, medical expenses, and pain and suffering benefits under Michigan law. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.