First Vehicular Homicide While Texting Case Indicted In Franklin County

Posted on 2/23/2011

Defendant: Daniel R. Jacobs

Prosecutor Ron O’Brien announced that the Franklin County Grand Jury has indicted the first known aggravated vehicular homicide while texting case against Daniel R. Jacobs, age 56, in the death of Dalton Ludwig, age 16, and for the serious physical harm to Floyd Evans, age 62, in connection with the crash that occurred on Interstate 270 near U.S. Route 33 on July 1, 2010, at approximately 6:00 pm. Ludwig suffered life-threatening injuries, was flown to Grant Medical Center, but passed away later that evening. Evans was also transported and admitted to Grant Medical Center, and was treated for numerous serious injuries. At the time of the crash, Floyd Evans was Dalton Ludwig’s driving instructor. They were in the middle of a driving lesson and had pulled onto the shoulder of the freeway. It is alleged that Daniel Jacobs was texting when he failed to control his car, changed lanes without safety, and ran off the roadway striking the victims in the vehicle stopped on the shoulder of the roadway. Jacobs has been indicted for one count Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (F-3) and one count of Vehicular Assault (F-4), for a total of two counts. “This case tragically illustrates the importance of minimizing distractions while driving”, O’Brien stated.