You know the kind of lessons we learn throughout life—things like why it’s important to treat everyone with respect, why kids need a good education, and the basic rules of safety, especially when driving.
We’ve been taught these lessons time and again, but sometimes, it’s good to be reminded. Let’s talk about that last one—staying safe when driving.
Most people know how dangerous it is to drive without paying full attention. We hear stories all the time about accidents caused by distracted drivers. But this story is different, and you probably haven’t heard it before. It’s a story that makes you stop and think.
This tragedy happened 10 years ago, back in 2014, but its lesson is still just as important today.
It’s about a woman who lost her life in a head-on collision on a U.S. highway, just moments after she updated her Facebook page while driving.
According to The Independent, the woman’s name was Courtney Sanford. She was 32 years old. At 8:33 a.m. on Thursday, April 24, 2014, Courtney posted on Facebook: “The happy song makes me so HAPPY.”
A minute later, at 8:34 a.m., police received a call about a crash.
Authorities said that Courtney was driving alone when her car crossed the center line and hit a recycling truck head-on. After the crash, her car burst into flames.
After investigating, police found that alcohol, drugs, or speeding didn’t play a part in the accident. What caused it was something much more common: Courtney was distracted by her phone, updating her Facebook status.
Lt. Chris Weisner from the High Point Police Department said, “In just a few seconds, a life was lost because she wanted to tell her friends she was happy. It’s really not worth it.”
He added, “This is a grim reminder of what happens when you text and drive. As sad as it is, you have to pay attention while you’re driving.”
The driver of the recycling truck, 73-year-old John Wallace Thompson, walked away without any injuries.
This story is a heartbreaking reminder that distracted driving can lead to tragedy. No message or update is worth a life.
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