Woman Accused of Watching Porn Before Fatal Crash
California woman faces charges after fatal crash linked to porn viewing, police say.
2 min read
A 44-year-old California woman is facing charges of automobile homicide after a fatal multi-vehicle crash in Utah, according to local authorities. Christine Chao is accused of watching pornography just moments before the collision that left a man dead.
Collision and Fatal Outcome
The crash occurred on June 12 on I-15, where traffic was slowed due to ongoing construction. According to charging documents, Chao allegedly struck the rearmost of two vehicles slowing ahead, causing a chain-reaction crash that sent all three vehicles off the road. A passenger in the rear vehicle was hospitalized in critical condition and later died from his injuries.
The victim, Scott LaVar Lichfield, a 66-year-old Utah man, was riding in the backseat of one of the vehicles. He suffered a fatal head injury in the crash. Lichfield had just celebrated his 39th wedding anniversary with his wife the day before, according to his obituary. The couple has five children, and Lichfield was described as a devoted family man who loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Police Findings and Evidence
Chao told officers at the scene that she was at fault. Charging documents state that traffic had been slowed due to construction, and two vehicles were traveling at a slower speed when Chao’s car struck the rearmost vehicle, causing it to crash into the vehicle ahead. Officers did not observe any brake marks on the road to indicate Chao had slowed before the crash.
Following the accident, police obtained a warrant to seize and examine Chao’s phone. Investigators found that she had accessed the pornography website xvideos.com less than two minutes before the crash. The documents state that this website is commonly used to view pornographic videos.
Legal Charges and Implications
Chao was charged Tuesday with automobile homicide, a second-degree felony, in connection with the fatal crash. The case highlights the potential consequences of distracted driving and the role of digital evidence in criminal investigations.
Source: Daily Wire
