RI police say text-messaging driver hits cruiser
The Associated Press
Published: October 15, 2009
Updated: October 15, 2009
Published: October 15, 2009
Updated: October 15, 2009
COVENTRY, R.I.—Police say a driver who admitted text-messaging behind the wheel crashed into an empty police cruiser in Coventry.
Rhode Island State Police Lt. Eric LaRiviere told The Providence Journal that the driver admitted being distracted and hadn’t seen the cruiser because he was text-messaging.
The cruiser was sitting Wednesday night at an Interstate 95 exit to divert traffic from an earlier accident. Both cars were totaled.
The driver is identified as 26-year-old David Mercer of West Greenwich. He’s been cited for several driving infractions. He was examined at the scene and released.
A phone listing for Mercer could not immediately be found.
Text-messaging while driving is not illegal in Rhode Island.
Advertisement