California woman Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison

A woman has been sentenced to six years in a California prison for killing another driver when she slammed into a line of stopped vehicles while text messaging on her cell phone in August, 2007.

A judge in Redding, California sentenced Deborah Matis-Engle for her role in the tragic accident.

According to investigators, Matis-Engle was speeding and text messaging when she crashed into the vehicles, which were stopped at a construction zone.

Shasta County prosecutor Stephanie Bridgett said that in the moments before the crash, the 49-year-old woman had used her cell phone to pay several bills. She was processing another transaction when she struck a vehicle that burst into flames, killing 46-year-old Petra Winn.

Defense attorney Jeffrey Stotter said he would appeal.

Did you know that courses are available to educate drivers on the rules of the road and the latest defensive driving techniques? Try one now!