Contra Costa Times

CHP identifies man suspected of using laptop before fatal crash By DON THOMPSON ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

SACRAMENTO - The California Highway Patrol on Tuesday identified the man who died in a vehicle collision while apparently using a laptop computer as a 29-year-old Chico resident.

Oscar Hinojosa, a computer tutor, died Monday morning after his Honda Accord crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with a Hummer on Highway 99 south of Yuba City. The Hummer's occupants were not seriously injured.

CHP officers found his laptop computer running and plugged into the car's cigarette lighter. It was positioned in such a way that investigators believe Hinojosa may have been using it when his car crossed the center line, California Highway Patrol Sgt. John Pettigrew said.

"This is the first time I've ever heard of somebody on their laptop and involved in a crash," CHP spokesman Tom Marshall said. "When you're driving a vehicle, that is not a time to be practicing your multitasking skills."

Reached by telephone Tuesday, Hinojosa's family declined comment.

A CHP study in 2001, the latest such data available, found that cell phone use was the top cause of crashes involving distracted drivers, followed closely by fiddling with the radio or compact disk player.

California drivers can be charged under existing law with reckless driving if they are caught using a television, video or computer monitor in the front seat of a vehicle. The CHP ticketed 510 drivers for that offense last year.

A law signed last year by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will require drivers to use an ear piece or speaker to talk on their cell phones. It takes effect in July 2008.

The author of that law, Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, introduced a bill this month targeting new drivers. It would prohibit anyone driving on an instructional permit, student license or provisional license from using a cell phone -- with or without a handsfree device -- and any handheld communications device, laptop computer, pager or two-way messaging device.

"The explosion of the wireless devices has really been over the last few years," said Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia, R-Cathedral City, the primary co-author of Simitian's bill. "That requires you to actually look and read and then type back. So I think that's much more of a problem than anything else."

Sean Comey, spokesman for AAA of Northern California, said the accident involving Hinojosa should serve as a warning.

"People's vehicles have become mobile offices and restaurants," Comey said. "Anything that you do that distracts you could kill you, whether it's eating your lunch or working on a computer."

Submitted on 02/28/2007

Submitted by: Jim Stewart
Reference: 02.27.2007; Contra Costa Times

Copyright © 2007 DarwinAwards.com

Chip said:
Definitely Toss: Bystanders Hurt
This one has already been submitted but, while there is more information here, bystanders were hurt in this one. That automatically disqualifies it. Thanks for sending it though.

James said:
Definitely Keep: For Darwin's Eyes
I voted in favor of this one, and Darwin ought to see the extra info in case it makes it through moderator screening!

Graham said:
Neutral: Other
Like I said before - there's no PROOF he was using the laptop, just speculation.

Tracy said:
Definitely Keep: For Darwin's Eyes
More info in this one - and they seem to be confirming now that he WAS using the laptop

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