A Utah woman has been charged with automobile homicide after a fatal car crash on I-15, which police allege occurred while she was watching pornography on her phone behind the wheel.
Christine Chao, 44, was charged on Tuesday with automobile homicide for the crash on June 12, according to TMZ. The collision resulted in the death of Scott LaVar Lichfield, 66, who was seated in the rear of one of the vehicles.
Crash Details
At the time of the collision, roadworks on I-15 had reduced traffic to an almost complete standstill. Chao reportedly struck a car and caused it to hit another vehicle. Court documents stated: "Two vehicles were traveling at a slower speed when a vehicle driven by the defendant, Christine Chao, struck the rearmost vehicle, causing it to crash into the vehicle ahead of it."
Chao reportedly "told officers she was at fault" and upon inspecting her phone, officers discovered she had accessed a pornographic website "less than two minutes before the crash." Her blue SUV collided with a white saloon, which subsequently crashed into another SUV travelling ahead of it, according to ABC4. All three vehicles left the carriageway, reports the Daily Star.
Victim Remembered
Lichfield sustained a fatal head injury in the crash. He has been remembered as a devoted husband and grandfather. A tribute from his family read: "It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our sweet Husband, Dad, Papa (Pop Pop), Uncle, Cousin, Nephew. He was one very loved gentle soul."
"Scott served faithfully in many callings as a Sunday School Teacher to a couple of crowds of boys and a lone girl. He loved those kids," the obituary continued. "Nursery leader, Elders Quorum Teacher, Scout Leader (a calling that he completely loved with all his heart), and Financial Clerk. This calling was his complete heart. He loved serving among all these good men. He served as a financial clerk in three different wards."
Investigation Findings
Attending officers noted the absence of any skid marks on the road, with nothing to suggest that Chao had made any attempt to slow down.
