Motorist Dies in Accident While Sending Text Message

A Canadian coroner has concluded that a road accident could be linked directly to the car driver sending a text message on his BlackBerry at the time of the accident. Michael Edward Wolsynuk's BlackBerry showed that he was texting a message at the time his truck jumped a concrete median and crashed into another truck, concluded the B.C. Coroner's report and police investigation.

Wolsynuk, who was not wearing a seat-belt suffered massive head and neck injuries and died in hospital. The driver of the other truck was released with whiplash injuries, while the driver of another car involved in the accident was unharmed.

Local witnesses said Wolsynuk had not been speeding, although a later examination also found that the rear tires of the truck were significantly worn.

Wolsynuk's mother and family permitted the police to release his name in the hope that others would learn from his actions.

On the web: Times Colonist

Posted to the site on 27th May 2009