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The executive producer of the popular shows “Homeland” on Showtime and “24” on Fox, Howard Gordon and his wife Cambria, are being sued for the fatal car wreck that left an 84-year-old pedestrian dead. On July 20, Gordon’s wife was driving in Santa Monica when her cell phone fell to the floor of her car. Cambria Gordon was reaching down in the floorboard to retrieve the cell phone when she hit 83-year-old William Howard Smerling, who had the right-of-way and was crossing the street.
After the accident, Smerling was taken to the hospital and clung on to life for a month before succumbing to his injuries.
In their lawsuit, Smerling family states he had the right of way and that Cambria Gordon was negligent by taking her eyes off of the road. Because Howard is the registered owner of the car Cambria was driving, he is also being sued. In California, registered car owners are responsible for the misdeeds of those who drive their cars.
When I read this story on TMZ it reminded me – once again – just how dangerous even having access to your cell phone is while driving. Even if you aren’t talking or texting, just having your phone out and being more worried about it than your driving can be deadly. Keep your cell phones in your purse or use a blue tooth device. Distracted driving is an epidemic in this country, no matter what state.