Massachusetts Texting While Driving Trial Gets Started

A first-of-its-kind trial starts in Massachusetts this week.

Prosecutors say 18-year-old Aaron Deveau will be the first person to be tried on a charge of motor vehicle homicide while texting. The trial is scheduled to start Tuesday in Haverhill District Court.

Authorities say the then-17-year-old Deveau was texting when he crossed the center line of a Haverhill street on Feb. 20, 2011 and crashed head-on a vehicle driven by 55-year-old Donald Bowley of Danville, N.H.

Bowley died 18 days later in the hospital.

Prosecutors say he died from injuries suffered in the crash.

Deveau’s lawyer has said there is no evidence the crash caused Bowley’s death. Deveau told police he swerved to avoid a vehicle in front of him that slowed down. He has pleaded not guilty.