An Idaho dad allegedly drafted an Instagram story, checked out mobile phone footage, and browsed Amazon moments earlier than his 7-year-old son was killed in a automotive crash as he faces manslaughter fees.
Austin Summers, 31, was driving a black GMC Sierra truck when he allegedly rear-ended a 2013 white Ford F450 that was experiencing mechanical issues on I-84 in Canyon County, Idaho, on Nov. 25 final 12 months, the Idaho Statesman reported, citing courtroom paperwork.
Summers’ eldest son Graham, who was sitting within the entrance passenger seat, was killed and the dad was charged with manslaughter final Tuesday.
Summers, of Meridian, allegedly plowed into the Ford at a velocity of between 73 and 75 mph in a 65 mph zone, whereas the automotive in entrance was touring at simply 7 mph within the far proper lane.
His different two kids, whose ages have been 3 and 5 on the time of the crash, have been sitting at the back of the truck and have been unhurt.
The dad was hospitalized and instructed cops one week later that he remembered “screaming to save lots of his son” after the horror unfolded.
Summers was initially cooperative with cops throughout the early phases of their investigation– and initially agreed at hand over knowledge from his cellphone. However he abruptly withdrew that request, forcing police to acquire a search warrant.
Investigators later discovered Summers had been utilizing his cellphone between 2:45 p.m and three:02 p.m., minutes earlier than the deadly collision.
The dad scrolled on Instagram, browsed Amazon, snapped an image of one other crash web site and drafted an Instagram story, in line with courtroom paperwork.
“Keep away from th freeway heading [sic],” the textual content on the story supposedly mentioned.
He additionally messaged Ashley Summers – the mom of his children – “Stick [sic] in visitors,” in line with KTVB. Summers and Ashley are separated.
Summers allegedly checked out an Instagram image at 3:03 p.m. – one minute earlier than a 911 name was logged.
It prompted Idaho State Police to conclude reckless driving was the first explanation for the smash.
Summers was additionally accused of not realizing that the Ford automotive in entrance was “barely shifting,” police mentioned.
The mechanical drawback the Ford was experiencing was deemed a secondary trigger by investigators. The Ford driver, who was 21 on the time of the crash, was unhurt, cops mentioned of their preliminary launch.
A urine pattern was taken following the crash – and it examined optimistic for cocaine and opiates, in line with the paperwork.
Ashley Summers claimed her estranged husband had admitted to her that he had used cocaine three days earlier than the smash.
Summers additionally admitted to police that Graham had eliminated his seatbelt.
“Whereas I’m devastated by the lack of my son, I take duty not in that I used to be impaired by any means, or that Graham unilaterally took his seat belt off whereas I used to be driving on the freeway, however that I ought to have instantly pulled over and made certain he was correctly buckled. That may hang-out me perpetually,” he mentioned.
Ashley confirmed cops messages the place she had warned Summers about their children’ security whereas they have been touring in his automotive.
Tributes have been paid to Graham following his dying. In a fundraiser created to assist Ashley and her two different children, he was described because the “sweetest, kindest, and most smiley 7-year-old you could possibly ever meet.”
“As a 2nd grader and a tremendous large brother, Graham’s foolish spirit and infectious smile introduced pleasure to everybody round him,” the fundraiser added.
“He had a particular manner of constructing folks giggle and all the time put a smile on everybody’s faces, regardless of the scenario. His loss has left a deep void within the hearts of his household, associates, and all who knew him.”
Summers was additionally charged with two counts of damage to a toddler and is being held on the Ada County Jail on a $500,000 bond.
