OH 16 y/o driver charged in pregnant woman's death.....

[Miss Mary]

This tragic story really hits home with our family (we have 2 teens). I firmly believe that using cell phones while driving should be illegal (even headsets). Drivers think they can easily multi-task while driving. What I've discovered is they weave all over the road, even on back roads, they just drift over into opposite traffic and all b/c they're yacking on a cell........sadly, two families are deeply affected from this tragedy. This teen will never be the same again. Read on. (I also realize drugs might have been involved but I have witnessed perfectly sober people talk on cells and forget that they're operating a vehicle at the same time).

http://www.wcpo.com/news/2006/local/06/ ... _folo.html

Teen Charged In Pregnant Woman's Death

Reported by: Deb Silverman
Web produced by: Laura Hornsby
Photographed by: 9News
First posted: 6/19/2006 11:37:20 AM
Last updated: 6/19/2006 10:49:24 PM

A Loveland [Greater Cincinnati area] teenager has been charged with two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide after he was involved in a crash that killed a mother and her unborn child.

16-year-old Alexander Manocchio is currently being held at a juvenile detention center for allegedly causing the Saturday night crash.

Police say he was reaching for his cell phone while driving on Landen Drive in Deerfield Township on Saturday night.

They say his SUV went left of center and struck another car head-on.

Police say Manocchio had only had his license for one day before the crash.

The Ohio Highway Patrol says they're also investigating whether or not Manocchio was also under the influence of marijuana at the time of the accident.

"Nothing has bee positively confirmed at this point, but there is a suspicion," said Lieutenant Anthony Lauer, of the Ohio State Patrol. "Until we get actual blood results back, then we'll have confirmation yes or no."

Manocchio was in court Monday morning where they determined he will remain in juvenile detention while a risk assessment is done.

He'll be back in court next week.

Karyn "Nikki" Cordell, 22, of Maineville, was eight months pregnant and was headed to the store for milk when her car was struck.

Cordell was taken to University Hospital where she and her unborn baby died.

"You just never think it's going to happen to you," Angel Cordell, the victim's sister told 9News as she weeped, "but it does."

Cordell also leaves behind a two-year-old daughter.

Her family has set up a fund to help pay for funeral expenses.

Donations for the Karen "Nikki" Cordell Fund can be made at any Fifth-Third Bank branch in the Tri-state.

[Janice]

That is so sad. They passed a law here in Puerto Rico that if you get caught using a cell phone while the car is moving, a $100 fine. If you are driving the car, you need to be wearing earphones to talk. I think this is a great idea. This is for drivers of cars only.

[Miss Mary]

Yes it is sad. Very. All in the span of mere minutes the boy is out driving all alone, brand new license and the woman is out picking up milk for her family. In the blink of an eye, their lives changed forever, 2 lost theirs. Sadly this young man is now locked up. He's expected to be tried in Juvenile Court and likely won't be held beyond his 18th birthday (but in his defense, he is still a kid himself and I'd hate to see him do hard time) and even yet sadder, a 2 year old is w/o a mother now.

Cell phones are necessary in today's world but IMHO, not in the hands of a driver. On that opinion, I stand firm. I have to send a link of this article to my oldest daughter. Her friend has her cell phone's message state - I'm either driving or away from my cell, leave me a message.......good idea. I think my daughter needs to do that too!

Mary

[x-y-no]

Cell phones are necessary in today's world but IMHO, not in the hands of a driver. On that opinion, I stand firm.
Mary

I agree 100%. There have been several studies I've read about which showed that people talking on a cellphone while driving are even more dangerous than drunk drivers.