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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Warning sign memorializes Colfax man killed texting and driving

Lisa, left, and Jim Thompson, parents of Sam Thompson, who was killed while texting and driving last fall, unveil a sign that will be posted at the site where Sam crashed. Sam's grandmothers, Carolyn Haner, far left, and Lavera Wade, watch the unveiling. (Tyler Tjomsland)

The only parts of Sam Thompson’s car that were recognizable after he drove head-on into a semi last year were the rear wheels and trunk. Everything else was nearly shredded.

Thompson, 20, was texting a friend as he drove down U.S. Highway 195 a few miles south of Colfax on Sept. 12. He died at the scene.

On Wednesday his parents, Jim and Lisa Thompson, joined several law enforcement agencies to launch a statewide crackdown on cellphone use while driving.

Lisa Thompson said her son knew better and had been taught not to use his cellphone while behind the wheel.

“He still did it,” she said. “He paid for it with his life.”

Thompson said her family, which includes Sam Thompson’s two older brothers, is struggling to cope with his loss and find a “new normal” in their lives. On Tuesday she helped unveil a road sign that will be erected at the site of her son’s fatal accident.

“Please don’t text and drive,” it reads. “In memory of Samuel Thompson.”

Thompson said she hopes the sign will be a “gentle reminder” to drivers to put down their phones.

“I don’t want any more people to pass away,” she said.

Lisa and Jim Thompson have given several talks to high school students about the dangers of texting and driving and are preparing to record a video that will be distributed to driver’s education instructors across the state.

Colfax police Chief Rick McNannay said he made a promise not to touch his phone while driving after Thompson died.

“He played football with my boys,” he said. “I knew Sam.”

McNannay said he has ordered window decals that will be handed out to people who pledge not to use their cellphones while driving.

“We are going to take a zero-tolerance stand on anyone using their cellphone,” he said.

Pullman Police Chief Gary Jenkins said his agency is one of more than 100 in the state that will participate in the emphasis patrols, along with Spokane police, Spokane Valley police and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

“The cars are poised and ready to hit the streets,” he said.

From April 1-15, participating law enforcement agencies will target drivers who are talking on handheld cellphones or texting.

A recent study showed that 1 in 10 Washington drivers use their cellphones while driving. The chances of an accident increases four times when someone is on the phone and increases by 23 times if a person is texting, Jenkins said.

Angie Ward, a Washington Traffic Safety Commission program manager, said about 4,000 citations for using a cellphone are written in Washington every month. The commission is supporting legislative efforts to pass a law removing loopholes from the cellphone laws, Ward said.

The legislation would ban use of any electronic handheld device for any purpose while driving, even at stoplights, Ward said.

“We’re trying to make it clearer for law enforcement and clearer for the public,” she said.