DVD and Driver Acquitted

Some time ago we reported the tragic deaths of an Alaskan couple when a driver on the opposite side of the road, allegedly watching a DVD (reported to be Road Trip) swerved into oncoming traffic. The driver explained that he hadn’t been watching the disc, but rather reaching for a soda when he swerved.

That was two years ago. Local Alaska law has no provisions for operating a DVD player in sight of the driver. It was argued that the player had been rigged so that the parking break did not have to be engaged, nor did the truck need to be in park for the player to function, as many saftey regulations require. Regardless, Erwin Petterson was released of 2 second degree murder charges, and 2 manslaughter charges.

This is a hard one to swallow. Had I been related to the couple who lost their lives, I’d be enraged, but accidents do happen and although negligence may clearly lie on Petterson, the deaths were not purposeful and he will have to live with the truth for the rest of his life.

Rather than joke at the expense of the Road Trip DVD, reportedly in the player at the time of the accident, we instead send our hearts out to ALL that were involved.