TEEN TEXTING AND DRIVING CRASHES INTO A DEPUTY SHERIFFS CRUISER

1401914219000-deputy-crashA 17-year-old was texting and driving when he crossed the center line and crashed into a sheriff’s deputy head-on, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The teen was driving a 1996 Honda Civic westbound on Highway 39 in McMinn County Wednesday morning around 7 a.m. The teen crossed the center line while texting and crashed into Deputy Randy Gabrel’s cruiser. Gabrel had slowed to almost a complete stop in an attempt to avoid the crash.

The head-on collision pushed the cruiser backward approximately seven to 10 feet.

According to the McMinn County Sheriff’s Department, Deputy Gabrel suffered some broken ribs and a sprained ankle in the crash.

The teen faces charges.