N.B. teen texting, not wearing seatbelt in crash

A southern New Brunswick teen involved in a fatal car crash this week was texting while driving and not wearing a seatbelt, according to an RCMP investigation.

The police released some results of the investigation into the Jan. 4 car crash that killed Jeremy Kenneth Dougan, 19, in a collision on Highway 1 near St. George.

The RCMP issued a statement on Thursday saying the investigation has shown that Dougan was "sending and receiving text messages just prior to the crash, which may have distracted him while driving."

Another factor highlighted by the RCMP was that Dougan was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. He was partially ejected from the car and suffered head injuries.

Two people in a second car were also injured in the collision.

According to the police, a 54-year-old woman from St. Andrews and her 27-year-old daughter were taken to hospital after the collision.

The New Brunswick government passed a new law in December that prohibits drivers from using hand-held cellphones, texting devices and portable entertainment devices while driving.

If drivers are caught on any of those counts, it will cost them three demerit points on their licences and a fine of $172.50.

The law is expected to come into force in the spring.