Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

Cali_Democrat

(30,439 posts) Wed May 23, 2012, 04:28 PM May 2012

Hit-and-run suspect says a smartphone app caused him to hit a pedestrian without realizing it [View all]

Hit-and-run suspect blames smartphone app, police say
11:30 PM EDT May 22, 2012

PLAISTOW, N.H. -

A hit-and-run suspect said a smartphone app caused him to hit a pedestrian without realizing it, police said.

John Sheehan, 30, was downloading the application when he hit a man walking on the shoulder of Forrest Road in Plaistow on Sunday night, police said.

The 29-year-old victim was rushed to Lawrence Hospital before being flown to Boston. He was listed in critical condition Tuesday.

Police said they found and arrested Sheehan on Monday.

Witnesses said they heard the sound of the impact from inside their home.

"We were watching TV, heard a loud bang, and looked out the window and saw the van accelerating away," Sandie Peabody said.

Read more: http://www.wmur.com/news/nh-news/Hit-and-run-suspect-blames-smartphone-app-police-say/-/9857858/13678654/-/hgbrhz/-/index.html?hpt=ju_bn4

28 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Hit-and-run suspect says a smartphone app caused him to hit a pedestrian without realizing it [View all] Cali_Democrat May 2012 OP

That is an interesting defense. Robb May 2012 #1

more of an "explanation" than a "defense". unblock May 2012 #5

Is there anything about intent in hit-and-run cases? Robb May 2012 #10

well i'm not a lawyer, so you may well be right. however, unblock May 2012 #14

Didn't work out so well for Amy Senser. 99Forever May 2012 #24

Thanks for the link. It looks like a previous case Robb May 2012 #27

When I hit a sparrow or a squirrel I know about it XemaSab May 2012 #26

Any halfway decent software license agreement addresses this kind of thing slackmaster May 2012 #23

Seems reasonable, because iphone navigation really is kind of buggy CreekDog May 2012 #2

Did the app also cause him to accelerate away? DavidDvorkin May 2012 #3

If it's the "Better Call Saul" app, maybe so. n/t Bolo Boffin May 2012 #11

Dowloading an app. SheilaT May 2012 #4

He was downloading an application when he was supposed to be driving? rocktivity May 2012 #6

I tend to hear all the usual & odd noises when I am driving. Solly Mack May 2012 #7

Not only that Cali_Democrat May 2012 #9

Good news, Mr. Sheehan! There's an app for that, too gratuitous May 2012 #8

End Of Thread. Ikonoklast May 2012 #12

I downloaded 300MB of apps in my car last week. onehandle May 2012 #13

I have an app idea for my car... Demoiselle May 2012 #15

For $43 dollars you can have one that fits in your rear window. jp11 May 2012 #17

Oh MY! I am going to give this serious consideration. Thanks! Demoiselle May 2012 #19

Mr. John Sheehan, 30, is completely full of crap tkmorris May 2012 #16

boop boop..... ProudToBeBlueInRhody May 2012 #18

I remember an old Law & Order episode that bugs me to this day. Ruby the Liberal May 2012 #20

Oh maaan! That's messed up. Poll_Blind May 2012 #22

Sounds more like an ID10T error to me slackmaster May 2012 #21

PEBSAK Ruby the Liberal May 2012 #25

...Or a failure of a critical mechanical part - The nut behind the wheel. slackmaster May 2012 #28