Current:Home > InvestSheriff's deputy accused of texting and driving in crash that killed 80-year-old: Reports -TrueNorth Capital Hub
Sheriff's deputy accused of texting and driving in crash that killed 80-year-old: Reports
View
Date:2025-04-14 05:45:47
A sheriff's deputy in Idaho has been charged for being involved in a deadly crash that investigators say was caused by the officer texting while driving.
Stephanie Grisham, a 38-year-old deputy for the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office with nine years of patrol service, was charged on July 23 with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, Idaho court records show.
Grisham, who was driving a Bingham County Sheriff’s Office black Ford Explorer patrol SUV, is accused of killing 80-year-old, Robert Beal, in a two-vehicle collision on Feb. 1, according to a probable cause affidavit from Idaho State Police obtained by East Idaho News.
Dennis P. Wilkinson, Grisham's defense attorney, told USA TODAY he had "no comment on the case at this time." The attorney did say they have filed a notice of appearance and not-guilty plea on Grisham's behalf.
USA TODAY contacted the Idaho State Police, Bingham County Sheriff's Office and Bingham County Magistrate Court on Monday but has not received a response.
How did the crash happen?
Beal was driving east in a Dodge Ram pickup with his 76-year-old wife riding in the passenger seat when Grisham drove into the oncoming eastbound lane and hit the truck head-on, East Idaho News reported, per the affidavit.
Both vehicles had stopped off the roadway as a result of the crash, the outlet said, citing the affidavit. All occupants were confined inside their vehicles until emergency responders extracted them.
Beal was pronounced dead at the scene due to injuries he suffered from the crash, while his wife was taken to a hospital in serious condition. Grisham was also taken to the hospital with critical injuries.
'I'm such an idiot'
An Idaho State Police detective reviewed Grisham's dashcam footage and compared it to the text message thread on the deputy's cell phone, East Idaho News said, per the affidavit. The detective noticed there was text message activity on the phone at the time of the crash, the outlet added.
The dash cam footage also showed Grisham's patrol car veer to the left and go into the oncoming lane of traffic.
The detective also interviewed a Firth Fire Captain who responded to the crash. The captain told the detective that Grisham said, "I screwed up. I was on my phone texting. I'm such an idiot," according to the affidavit, the East Idaho News reported.
veryGood! (23196)
Related
- SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
- 2024 Olympics: BTS' Jin Had a Dynamite Appearance in Torch Relay
- Watch: Satellite video tracks Beryl's path tearing through the Atlantic, Caribbean and U.S.
- Argentina wins record 16th Copa America title, beats Colombia 1-0 after Messi gets hurt
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Katy Perry Shares NSFW Confession on Orlando Bloom's Magic Stick
- Maps show location of Trump, gunman, law enforcement snipers at Pennsylvania rally shooting
- Can we vaccinate ourselves against misinformation? | The Excerpt
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- Shrek movies in order: Catch up on all the films in time for 'Shrek 5'
Ranking
- Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
- Who's speaking at the 2024 RNC? Here's a full rundown of people on the list
- Katy Perry Shares NSFW Confession on Orlando Bloom's Magic Stick
- How to quit vaping: What experts want you to know
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- Son of Asia's richest man gets married in the year's most extravagant wedding
- Nate Diaz suing co-promoter of Jorge Masvidal fight for $9 million
- A Mississippi judge removes 1 of Brett Favre’s lawyers in a civil case over misspent welfare money
Recommendation
'Most Whopper
'Good Morning Football' set to relaunch in July after NFL Network reboots show
In beachy Galveston, locals buckle down without power after Beryl’s blow during peak tourist season
Copa America final: Argentina prevails over Colombia in extra time after Messi injury
The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
Can we vaccinate ourselves against misinformation? | The Excerpt
Search suspended for pilot and passenger after tour helicopter crash off Hawaii’s Kauai island
'House of the Dragon' mutt returns for Episode 5 showing dogs rule