Chattanooga woman indicted on vehicular homicide and texting while driving charges

UPDATE: CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF) — The fatal crash happened back in February.

According to this three page indictment obtained by News 12, 24-year old Chelsea Finnigan already had her drivers license revoked when she caused a crash that killed 39-year old Elizabeth Bodaly.

The indictment also says Finnigan was intoxicated while texting and driving.
“Anything you are doing other than driving and paying attention to the road can cause a crash. But you know whether it be talking to someone in the seat beside you, whether it be talking to the key it’s in the back, on the phone any thing like that distracting you. And the likelihood of you crashing goes up big time,” said Sgt. Justin Kilgore with the Chattanooga Police

According to investigators, Finnigan was traveling East on Bonny Oaks Drive when her vehicle crossed into the westbound lane and collided head on with Bodaly’s vehicle. Bodaly died at the scene. Law enforcement officers assigned to traffic details say they are catching more and more motorists texting while driving.
“We actually ride beside people as they are texting and they’re not paying attention that there is a police motorcycle beside them and watching them. When we pull them over, oh I wasn’t texting. I’ve been riding beside you for two block. I saw you texting,” stated Capt. Charles Lowery of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office

Experts say it only takes a split second to be involved in a crash, especially when a driver is intoxicated and distracted at the same time.
“With your reflex being slowed; your comprehension level being slowed’ your ability to read and may be blurred, so therefore you’re trying to focus and your concentration is there; nothing else matters.”