Police have reported that a woman lost her life in a head-on collision on a US highway shortly after updating her status and posting selfies on Facebook.
The 32-year-old Courtney Sanford posted on her Facebook page at 8:33 Thursday morning: “The happy song makes me so HAPPY.” Police received a report of the crash at 8:34 AM.
Officers stated that Ms. Sanford was driving alone when her car crossed the center reservation, collided with a recycling truck, and caught fire, causing the truck to veer off the road.
Ms. Sanford was traveling down Interstate 85 in North Carolina on her way to work. According to police, there was no evidence that speed, drugs, or alcohol played a role in the crash.
The Facebook connection came to light this past weekend when Ms. Sanford’s acquaintances informed the police that several of her online posts were made around the time of the incident.
Lt. Chris Weisner, a spokesman for the High Point Police Department, described the collision as a real-life public service announcement, illustrating the dangers of texting and driving, according to WGHP TV station.
Lt. Weisner noted that Ms. Sanford had been taking selfies on the highway, as shown by her social media accounts, in addition to the status update she posted just before the crash.
“In a matter of seconds, a life was over just so she could notify some friends that she was happy. It’s really not worth it,” he said. “Even though it is depressing, it serves as a somber reminder for everyone—you just need to pay attention when driving.”
The driver of the truck, 73-year-old John Wallace Thompson, was unharmed, according to the police.
Please SHARE this story with your friends and family and let us know your thoughts in the comments!