Driver Distracted By Sandwich Gets Probation In Crash That Killed 13-Year-Old Boy
HUDSONVILLE, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - A 40-year-old Indiana man who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in a distracted driving crash that killed a 13-year-old western Michigan boy has been sentenced to 18 months of probation.
Travis Fox received his punishment Tuesday for causing the crash that killed David Talsma, of Hudsonville. Before delivering his ruling, District Judge Kenneth Post said there's "no sentence I could render that's going to heal the hurt. ... It's not something intentional, but it happened."
Before the hearing, Fox embraced Talsma's father and apologized. Through his sobs and tears, Fox could be heard telling the man "I'm sorry," over and over again.
Part of Fox's probation includes speaking to high school and college students about the dangers of distracted driving.
Fox told police he was eating a sandwich and checking his GPS while driving August 3 on I-196 in Georgetown Township, southwest of Grand Rapids. Traffic in front of him had slowed for a construction zone and Fox, who didn't notice the backup, said he couldn't stop in time to avoid a collision.
Talsma was in the backseat of a minivan that was rear ended by Fox's pickup truck. He was briefly pinned in the vehicle before being pronounced dead on the scene.
Three other vehicles were involved in the crash and nine people ended up in the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
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