Cops Probe Whether Woman Was Texting in Upper Darby Car Crash

By Brad Segall

UPPER DARBY, Pa. (CBS) — Police in Upper Darby want to know whether a driver involved in a single-car crash over the weekend was texting right before she lost control of her vehicle.

Police say their investigation into the crash is moving forward, even as they wait to talk to the driver who was hospitalized with serious injuries after Sunday evening’s crash.  They are also working on obtaining a search warrant to check the cell phone.

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(Michael Chitwood. File photo)

Upper Darby police superintendent Michael Chitwood (right) says the New Jersey woman, believed to be in her mid-twenties, crashed her Jeep near the intersection of Garrett Road and Drexel Avenue.

“She went up onto the sidewalk, knocked over several traffic signs, and then hit a retaining wall, knocked that down, and as a result of the impact turned her vehicle over,” he said today.

Chitwood says this is his department’s first investigation involving texting while driving since a statewide ban took effect earlier this year (see related story).  He says any charges against the driver could be elevated if they can prove she was texting.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.