Fatal Rollover Due to Driver Holding Phone, Not Wheel

Caused vehicle behind to lose control after drifting into lane

Wisconsin authorities say a Minnesota woman had both hands on her cellphone and apparently none on her steering wheel when she lost control of her car and sent the vehicle behind her into a deadly rollover.

The St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office says the crash that happened Friday afternoon killed 16-year-old Kyra Faith Hayes, of Beldenville.

A statement says the 21-year-old from Big Lake, Minnesota, was driving in front of Hayes on Wisconsin Highway 35 near River Falls. Captain Jeff Klatt says it appears she didn’t have either hand on the wheel and wasn’t steering at all before her car veered into Hayes’ lane. The vehicles didn’t touch, but Hayes took evasive action and her SUV rolled. She died at the scene.

The Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate and whether to recommend charges.