The Juab County Attorney has charged 44-year-old Christine Chao with automobile homicide following a June 12 collision that resulted in a fatality, according to a report published October 21.
Chao, a resident of California, faces a second-degree felony charge of text message or email automobile homicide following a three-car accident.
The collision occurred in an area where traffic had been slowed due to ongoing construction. According to statements from the Juab County Attorney's office, two vehicles were traveling at a slower speed when Chao struck the rearmost vehicle, causing a chain reaction that sent all three vehicles off the road.
Investigators noted that no brake marks were observed on the road to indicate the defendant slowed before the impact. Following the crash, Chao reportedly told officers she was at fault. A search of Chao's seized phone revealed she had accessed the website xvideos.com less than two minutes before the collision occurred.
The crash resulted in the death of 66-year-old Scott LaVar Lichfield of Fillmore. Although a passenger in one of the vehicles was initially in critical condition, they were pronounced dead at the scene.
