Plastic Surgeon Was Texting in Car Before Fatal Crash By Howard Breuer

Tuesday August 17, 2010 08:15 PM EDT

Dr. Frank Ryan and Heidi Montag Frazer Harrison/Getty; Pacific Coast News FacebookTwitterE-mailDr. Frank Ryan, plastic surgeon to Heidi Montag and other celebrities, was sending a Twitter message about his border collie just before his fatal car accident, his ex-girlfriend tells PEOPLE.

"He lived up in Malibu on a tiny street and he was texting while driving and he accidentally went over the cliff," Charmaine Blake says.

Blake, a celebrity publicist, says Ryan's family was told by investigators that the Tweeting caused the wreck on Monday.

The dog, whose name is Jill – Blake's middle name – was in the car at the time of the crash and survived injuries to the head, eye and paw.

The California Highway Patrol confirms Ryan was texting before the crash, but investigators have not officially determined the cause of the accident.

"It is one of the elements that we are investigating," CHP Officer Steven Reid says.

Blake says she lived with Ryan from 2003 to 2006. After breaking up, they remained close and Ryan was also helping support her, says Blake.

"It was the only serious relationship I ever had and he was the love of my life," Blake, 29, says. "It was hard for us to stay away from each other."

She adds that she hopes other people learn from this tragedy that "people should not text and drive at all."

Submitted on 08/18/2010

Submitted by: Satya Ramnarain
Reference: Tuesday People.com August 17, 2010 08:15 PM EDT

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Bruce said:
Definitely Toss: Too Common
Thanks, Satya, but texting-related accidents are simply way too common. This is just another in the long list of examples of why texting while driving is being made illegal in most states.

James said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
I'm keeping this only because the characters involved are so stereotypically "Hollywood" types, and because I've never heard of someone texting themselves right off a cliff! Rather cartoony, and of all the texting stories we get, this one might just make a funny entry in the next book!

Candi said:
Definitely Toss: Too Common
What Bruce said.

Jack said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Too common? Perhaps. "stereotypically "Hollywood"and cartoony? [thanks, James!]? Indeed! In fact, I can visualize the cartoon now - the Famous Plastic Surgeon to the Stars happily tweeting away while his car goes over the cliff and his poor dog (with a look of panic on her face) tries desperately to get out of the car.... Thumbs up for the humor alone! And a cautionary note here - the next time you need surgery, *please* make sure your doctor leaves his cell phone at home, eh?

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