Teen arrested for negligent homicide

NORWALK, Conn. (WTNH) -- Police say a 16-year old New Canaan girl was using a cell phone when the SUV she was driving hit and killed a jogger in Norwalk.

It happened back in March and now that girl is charged in the jogger's death.

Police aren't saying whether she was texting or talking on the phone, both of which are illegal for minors. Either way, the distraction killed someone.

The accident happened on New Canaan Avenue in Norwalk back in March. A Yankees shirt now serves as a memorial to 44-year-old Norwalk resident Kenneth Dorsey. He was hit and killed by a car while out for a morning run.

"We had a 6-week investigation," said Sgt. Lisa Cotto. "We applied for an arrest warrant and it was determined that the driver, who ended up being a juvenile, was using a cell phone while driving."

The driver, a 16-year-old girl from New Canaan, has been charged in his death. Her identity is not being revealed because of her juvenile status.

She turned herself into police on Saturday and has been charged with negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, use of a hand held telephone under age 18 and failure to drive in the proper lane.

"Her life is about to change," Cotto said. "[She] had recently gotten her driver's license so something's going to happen to that as well as criminal charges, so it's all around a sad case."

The news sent shock waves through the New Canaan community, especially for those who know her.

"People have been talking about it. I have friends that go to New Canaan High School and they've been telling me about that and the girl and they say that she's a really nice girl, but bad things happen to good people I guess," said Thomas Hecker.

The DMV issued a statement which said, in part: "Connecticut has zero-tolerance for teens who drive and also use their phones to text, talk or do anything else that distracts them from paying attention to safety. They face license suspensions, court fines and notations on their driving records when convicted."

"Teenagers think they're invincible," said Deb Pierce, whose grandson is learning to drive.

While Pierce believes the accident is a wake up call she said continued on to say, "...I don't know how you hit it home with teenagers. How you really instill that in them."

"I actually had a lot of parents tell me they're teaching their kids how to drive a stick shift so that they won't be texting and driving," said Cotto, "so yes you can't talk to your kids enough about texting and driving. This is a sad case all around."