Police: Easton SUV Driver Had YouTube Running on Phone During Fatal Crash
A 25-year-old Easton man was allegedly on prescribed psychiatric drugs and had YouTube running on his phone when his Cadillac SUV crashed head-on into a small sedan in Easton Sunday afternoon, taking the life of another driver.
Easton police found Jake McCabe's phone unlocked with a video running following Sunday's head-on collision at 539 Bay Road, according to court documents viewed by the Brockton Enterprise. McCabe told officers he was using Xanax and another psychiatric medication when the crash took place, according to the police report filed in Taunton District Court.
McCabe was arrested Tuesday night and charged with manslaughter in connection with the crash that killed Scott A. Lewis, 37, of Easton. Prior to his arrest, McCabe was issued a citation for motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation, marked lanes violation and unsafe operation of a motor vehicle.
Witnesses told police that McCabe's vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed before the crash, and the office of the Bristol County District Attorney said this week that "speed was a factor." Investigators are reviewing footage from nearby surveillance cameras, the Enterprise reports.
McCabe, who after the crash was transported to Boston Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries, later posted $10,000 bail and was released pending arraignment, which is now scheduled for June 2 in Taunton District Court.
Lewis was declared dead at the scene. His funeral notice states that memorial contributions should be made to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at 350 South Huntington Ave. in Boston.