Police have reported that a 32-year-old woman lost her life in a head-on collision on a US highway shortly after updating her Facebook status and posting selfies.
Courtney Sanford posted on her Facebook page at 8:33 AM Thursday morning, writing, “The happy song makes me so HAPPY.” The police were notified of the crash just one minute later, at 8:34 AM.
According to officers, Ms. Sanford was driving alone on Interstate 85 in North Carolina when her car crossed the centerline, collided with a recycling truck, and caught fire, causing the truck to veer off the road.
At the time of the accident, Ms. Sanford was on her way to work. Authorities have stated that there were no signs of speeding, drug use, or alcohol involvement in the crash.
The link between Ms. Sanford’s social media activity and the accident was not revealed until this past weekend, when friends informed the police that her posts appeared to coincide with the timing of the crash.
Lt. Chris Weisner of the High Point Police Department described the incident as a grim public service announcement about the dangers of distracted driving. According to Lt. Weisner, Ms. Sanford had been taking selfies while driving, in addition to her final Facebook update before the crash.
“In a matter of seconds, a life was lost just to share a moment of happiness with friends. It’s a stark reminder of how crucial it is to stay focused while driving,” Lt. Weisner remarked.
John Wallace Thompson, the 73-year-old driver of the recycling truck, was unharmed in the collision.
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