Deborah Matis-Engle was on her way home from work about 5:00 pm on August 13, 2007, paying bills by cell phone and driving over the posted speed limit, when she slammed into vehicles waiting at a construction zone in Redding, California. Matis-Engle rear-ended the last car in the line, which exploded into flames killing the driver, 46-year-old Petra Winn.
On April 4, 2009, Matis-Engle was sentenced to six years for gross vehicular manslaughter. She plans to appeal.Mercury News: NorCal woman gets 6 years for fatal texting crash (April 4, 2009)
Cell Phone Negligence
According to the prosecution, Matis-Engle was aware of the on-going construction on the highway, since she drove it everyday to work. She was driving at least 10 miles an hour above the posted limit, drove by eight consecutive signs warning of the construction zone, and paid three bills in the four minutes before the crash. She was in the middle of paying a bill when she crashed into a line of cars waiting at a construction zone.
A car driven by 46-year-old Petra Monika Winn was at the end of the line, and Matis Engle rear-ended her. The car burst into flames, and Winn was killed.Redding.com: Shingletown woman sent to prison for 'text messaging' manslaughter (April 4, 2009)
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