Driving while on the phone isn’t against the law. Not yet anyways; not in Texas. But, causing an accident due to inattention can be and a young Humble woman is now paying the price.
Twenty four year old Jeri Montgomery was convicted in a case of negligent homicide this past week and sentenced to 30 days in jail and 10 years probation for what the Harris County District Attorney calls selfishness and narcissism.
Montgomery had just ended a cell phone call when she realized she was missing her exit . She attempted to cross several lanes of traffic hitting a truck driven by 25 year old Chance Wilcox who died as a result.
Controversy has surrounded this case as many suggest she should’ve been sentenced more strictly while others, including her father question if the charges and sentence were fair at all or if Montgomery was merely used to set an example.
Wilcox’s mother, however, thinks the sentence was fair and Montgomery got what was coming to her.
The D.A.’s office suggests this case serves as a warning to other drives, a warning not necessarily about driving while on the phone but of paying attention while behind the wheel.
Criminal traffic offenses aren’t taken very seriously by very many people until they realize they are facing more than a ticket or a fine. Things like reckless driving, eluding the police, and drag racing are all criminal acts that can lead to jail time, fines, and a criminal record.
When you are facing charges like these it is vital that you consider just how serious they are. A criminal conviction can forever change your life and make it difficult to get car insurance and even employment.
If you are facing charges of a criminal nature, you need a defense attorney working on your behalf in court. We aren’t talking about a speeding ticket here, we are talking about spending days locked up.
Contact our attorneys today to discuss your case.
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