Driver hits pedestrian, admits he was playing with his iPod
KEIZER, Ore. - A driver admitted to police that he was playing with his iPod when he hit a man who was crossing a street.
The crash, which sent the victim into the windshield of an Infiniti, happened around 10 p.m. Thursday at the intersection of Cherry Avenue and Clearview Avenue in Keizer.
According to police, a driver was headed southbound on Cherry Avenue at around 40 miles per hour when he hit 55-year-old Kevin Ives, who was trying to cross the street on his way to a convenience store.
The driver, Astin Trotter, told police he was playing with his iPod and when he looked up, there was a man in the roadway. His windows were also foggy, which limited his visibility.
Trotter stopped at the scene and checked on Ives while a bystander called 9-1-1 for help. Ives ended up with significant, but not life threatening, injuries.
Trotter was issued a citation and released from the scene.
Look ma... I stepped out in the path of an oncoming car.
Oh, look - a real live dumb A $ $.
He should be beaten to death with his iPod as far as I'm concerned. We live in an increasingly self-centered America where fewer and fewer people seem to care about how their actions effect other people.Â
 @peckishpete Like wearing dark clothing, stepping into traffic and hoping, no, expecting, others will see you.
Probably not just in Portland, but I've seen plenty of people just walk across the street without looking either way, just because they're in a "crosswalk". It takes a bit of attention to avoid being stuck by a motorist. LOOK first!
@jpk That's still no excuse for driving while playing with an iPod and hitting someone.Â
 @peckishpete  @jpk No excuse, but Murphy's and Newton's laws will trump city ordinance EVERY time.
While this guy has no excuse... it's not at all suprising.
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Seriously, that area is very dark across from the US market and rather than walk the half block to the light and use the crosswalk, idiots always walk across there with very little regard to the 35mph traffic.
It still too bad that the pedestrians don't watch for the vehicles that are approaching them. This is just one more example where, had the pedestrian been paying attention and not depending on the vehicle to stop, he might have 'not walked' at that moment. Crosswalks and anywhere else is only safe if the driver happens to see you...and in this, and nearly all others the driver didn't. Everyone needs to take responsibility for themselves...quit trusting the other guy. Problem is the law says the pedestrian has the right of way regardless...even when he is dead!
The charge should be the same as a DUII.
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There is one thing that a driver should be doing when behind the wheel of a vehicle. Driving the vehicle as safely as possible.
This idiot needs some serious jail time.
Using Ipods and other devices while driving is driving distracted Fines need to be heavy handed..is this guy going to pay for the Victim's Hospital Bill? Well his insurance will and I can't wait to see the look on his face when he gets his next insurance bill.
". . . playing with his i . . . "
Oooohhhh, is *that* what they call it, now?!
Wow, I hope the victim a speedy and full recovery. I'm glad the driver had the integrity to admit that he was distracted by his ipod and stayed at the scene to help rather than flee the scene or try to blame it on the pedestrian. These electronic devices are great for many things, just not driving. They are causing far too many injuries and too easily distracts and impairs the drivers ability be safe and attentive.
Honesty is the best policy! Applause for being honest and attempting to help the person he hit, as well as staying around to accept responsibility for what he did!
i'm all thumbs and like a deer caught in headlights when i try to use most electronic gadgets. unfortunately you need at least one hand when driving and to pay attention
"Trotter was issued a citation and released from the scene."
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So Trotter seriously injures a man because he was not paying attention to driving and he walks away with a citation? Clearly new laws are required for people who cause accidents or injuries while using electronic devices such as iPods and cell phones. Far too many have little or no common sense and they put many others at risk. The justice/legal system needs to catch up with technology.
 @I812 I agree with you. But what if he injured another person in a vehicle rather than a pedestrian under the same circumstances? What happens then?
 @I812 The driver better cross his fingers and hopes the pedestrian survives his injuries. I believe a manslaughter charge is hanging in the balance.
 @str1ngb3nd3r  @I812 At least a civil lawsuit.
 @I812  It could have been a criminal citation in lieu of custody, which is pretty common when you have a cooperative person who did not intentionally harm anyone or flee from the scene. If charged with a crime, he will still have to go through the normal court process and a possible jail sentence.Â
 @I812 The problem then becomes proving that using "the device" caused more harm than not using "the device", which is impossible to do.  The guy driving ran into the guy walking, easy enough to prove.  Its the "more" that won't work (unless the device actually strikes the guy walking in this case).
@Gozirra Izroose No. Any person driving a motor vehicle has an obligation to focus all their attention on driving. If the driver uses any electronic device not intended as part of the operation of the vehicle it is a pre-meditated act and should be dealt with severely when injuries or property damage occurs. Our selfish society is allowing people to kill and injure other innocent people because we are too slow to implement the severe penalties necessary to change the behavior of those that lack the common sense to do it themselves.Â
 @I812 The laws are in place, they are just not enfarced (sic). In the U.K. a driver can be fined for eating or drinking whilst driving. All the driver has to do is veer in his own land to attract the attention of the cops. The fine is $75 U.S. plus 3 driving points.