Two years ago, I treated myself to an iPhone. I became instantly mesmerized. I could do anything from it. Send emails, tweets, even blog. And though I prefer to blog from a PC, I soon found myself using the iPhone to read and respond to blog comments. When at a light, I'd glance at the phone, and would start pecking a smart-ass answer to a smart-ass comment. This ended when Palmer Township police officer Jeremiah Santo pulled me over on Route 248 one day, not far from Sheetz. I had been all over the road on what is a very busy highway. I could have killed someone. I was cited for distracted driving and actually thanked the officer. His action woke me up. But the family of Emma Raymondo, age 12, is in a nightmare. Their little girl was taken way from them on September 22 by a driver who has been accused on texting while driving.
Emma had just left the Sheetz Convenience Store, where she had gone with siblings for ice cream. They were walking home. She was off the roadway.
This young lady was a 7th grader at Easton Middle School, a member of the Junior National Honor Society and a high yellow belt at the Lehigh Valley Martial Arts School. .
Dylan T. Groff, age 21, was off the roadway, too. But he was driving, not walking. He had just left Wal Mart at 8:04 pm, and video surveillance showed he was looking at his telephone screen. According to investigators, he had been using the Google Chrome Internet browser from 7:57 pm, when he was still at Wal Mart, until 8:06 pm, after he was already on the road. After that, Groff and two others began exchanging Facebook messages at 8:08:22 pm, with the last message being sent by Groff at 8:10:06 pm. They were discussing dinner options. Then, at 8:11:08 pm, he used his cell phone to call 9-1-1 after striking Emma. Groff was distracted by his cellphone.
Groff admitted he had been using his cellphone, but thought he was off sooner than forensic evidence reveals. He was cooperative with police and upset by what had happened. There is no evidence of alcohol or drug abuse, or that he was speeding. The evidence is that he wandered off the roadway and onto the shoulder because he had been distracted by his cellphone.
Yesterday, DA John Morganelli announced the following charges: homicide by vehicle (Felony 3); aggravated assault by vehicle (Felony 3); involuntary manslaughter (Misdemeanor 1); reckless endangerment (Misdemeanor 2); reckless driving (summary); careless driving (summary); and driving on roadways laned for traffic (summary). He faces a maximum sentence of 22 years behind bars and $46,200 in fines. Because he was texting and his conduct resulted in death, an additional seven years could be added to what is already an onerous penalty.
Morganelli claimed that texting while driving is just as dangerous as drink driving. He cited statistics that here in Pennsylvania, over 14,800 crashes in 2015 were the result of distracted driving. Nationwide, 10 percent of fatal crashes, 15 percent of injury crashes and 14 percent of all police-reported motor vehicle traffic crashes are the result of distracted driving. This could be cell phone use or more innocent distractions.
"You never get used to looking into the eyes if a Mom and Dad and siblings who have just lost a young child," said Morganelli, who had prosecuted these kinds of rimes for the past 25 years. "These are always difficult meetings and are emotional for me and family members." But Emma's family agreed that Morganelli could use what happened to Emma as an example to warn he public and possibly save lives.
He admitted that even he has been distracted at times by his cellphone. But on behalf of Emma and her family,he said we should al examine our own behavior and put down those cellphones.
"New drivers must be given simple, clear instructions not to use their wireless devices while driving. Before our young people get their licenses, we should discuss the fact that taking their eyes off the road - even for a few seconds - could cause someone injury or death.A new feature on iPhone's software might make it easier to keep your eyes on the road. A "Do Not Disturb While Driving" message silences incoming notifications until you reach your destination.
"We all have to lead by example. As I indicated, none of us can say we never did this. But the truth is noone should text and drive. We can be an example for others. If we need to text, we canpullover to a safe place,making sure our vehicle is not in motion.
"We can become informed and active. We should all tell family, friends and anyone who is willing to listen of the importance of driving without distractions. Schools can play a role in this."
21 comments:
I am very concerned with young people walking on busy highways. Was there a sidewalk and if not walking along the road is inherently dangerous. Also as in some other cases why are young people walking along a busy roadway at night?
I am concerned that parents need to teach their children about the dangers of walking along a busy roadway at night.
Great article! I wish that the mother that hit me while being distracted talking to her child would have gotten more than a slap on the wrist. I was in a crosswalk in front of the courthouse when she hit me. She could have killed me. I'm blessed to be alive even though I am in constant pain and will never be the same. She not only hurt me but all the people who have been affect by it.
Please heed Bernie and DA Morganelli's advise to you! You don't want be on either side (the victim or perp). -- S. Lerch
I thankfully learned the dangers of distracted driving from an early age, though I am not thankful for the incident itself. My then-15yo cousin was walking down the road circa 1983. A driver was looking at a map to find directions. His car went off the road and struck my cousin. He didn't die, but suffered a brain injury, a shattered jaw, shattered knee, and dozens of other fractures. He was hospitalized for several months and still suffers from side effects today. I remind myself of this each time I get the urge to text or otherwise be distracted while driving.
BO, the election is over, you can get off Morganelli's stick for a few months.
9:36, This has nothing to do with elections. Ask Emma's parents whether this is something that should be ignored.
"I am very concerned with young people walking on busy highways. Was there a sidewalk and if not walking along the road is inherently dangerous. Also as in some other cases why are young people walking along a busy roadway at night?"
Asshole, this was not late at night. It was around 8 pm. This was not along 248. It was along Corriere Road. There are no sidewalks there. That is not the fault of parents. I have asked Township officials why no sidewalks are at this new development.
"Great article! I wish that the mother that hit me while being distracted talking to her child would have gotten more than a slap on the wrist. I was in a crosswalk in front of the courthouse when she hit me."
I remember that incident quite well. Glad you recovered, but it is sad that Brown actually removed a crosswalk. Amazingly, his administration and some Easton traffic LT fail to realize that people are going to cross the street where it is most convenient to them and not necessarily at a corner.
I have learned that no sidewalks are at this area bc it is an older development and was built at a time when they were not required,
another jm suck up piece from bo - well at least he didn't blame this on President Trump
This story has very little to do with JM, and very much to do with a 12 yo girl and distracted driving.
although i have no evidence or statistics, I believe from observation that the incidence of drivers distracted from texting is much higher, and that it's a factor in many more accidents than admitted or proven.
There is no reason for a 12 year old or an adult to be walking on 248 at any time, day or night, and yes, this was on 248, not corriere road...you just lie and bullsjit and rewrite as you see fit.
I am sorry the parents suffered a tragedy, cannot imagine the hell they are going through..and do not condone cell phone use while driving, stopped parked or any other reason
yet everyone willing to throw the book at the driver
A few things we learned in kindergarten comes to mind here, that escaped this 12 year old, her siblings and her parents that basic safety and common sense would have prevented. When you voluntarily live on a highway with small children at home who were not taught basic safety, this is the result.
I may be mistaken about the precise location. If it did happen along 248, it is quite close to Emma's home. Just 20 yards.
I can't believe how insensitive people are being. This girl had EVERY right to walk down the street. The driver should not have been texting while driving. I feel badly for all involved and Bernie's article isn't an endorsement for JM. The whole situation is a tragedy for all involved.
I see this all the time, people walking down busy streets. Both adults and children, even adult with children. Sadly, most are oblivious to the traffic. The drivers are testing and so are the kids walking.
Parents have to teach themselves and their children common sense. Don't walk along a busy highway. The idea of "I have the right of way", has gotten out of hand.
Bernie, this shit happens all the time. Lets get real, this driver could have been changing the radio or picking his nose instead of texting. Distracted driving has gone on since the automobile was invented and will go on till the end of time. Let's just accept it that FATAL ACCIDENTS HAPPEN. Yes many accidents can be prevented, but most vehicular accidents result in no injury or loss of life. Unfortunately we are not robots driving on tracks and this accident resulted in the unfortunate injury of a child, which makes it more emotional.
This was a preventable tragedy. And to those who slam this child because she was walking along the shoulder of the road, that is why they are there. Pedestrians and bicyclists have rights, too. Pay attention when driving.
Fatality, not injury
This is the problem with all these townships you love. They let developer should all this crap clogging the roads with traffic and di not require them to build sidewalks. Hanover, Bethlehem Twp. and the others love the developers as long as they show up with cash in hand. Of course the developers then get to make their own rules. Sadly more traffic, no sidewalks and young people walking on the side of very busy highways is a recipe for disaster. Morganelli wants to make an example of this guy but the big picture is still a problem.
You can't walk along this highways safely people.
Morganelli has no desire to make an example of anyone. He wants people to stay off their cell phones when they are driving. He has said that he himself has done this,so that's a strange way to make an example of someone. You seem to have a hot nut for him, likely bc he prosecuted you or refused to do yiur bidding.
As for developers who installed no sidewalks, this is an older development and they were not required back then. They are now. You are trying to blame everyone except the person who was texting his friends and hit this girl because he drifted off the road.
@ 10:14 am - "I remember that incident quite well. Glad you recovered, but it is sad that Brown actually removed a crosswalk. Amazingly, his administration and some Easton traffic LT fail to realize that people are going to cross the street where it is most convenient to them and not necessarily at a corner."
Unfortunately Bernie, I didn't recover. I had 3 surgeries, walk much slower than I did, probably will walk with a limp for the rest of my life, continue to have injections in the leg (top of tibia), affects other parts of my body, and constant pain. Then I have to fight for what is rightfully mine.
I feel very badly for this family that lost their loved one. PEOPLE NEED TO WATCH WHAT THEY ARE THEY ARE DOING!!!!! - S. Lerch
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