Missouri Fatal Texting-While-Driving Case

(Kansas City, Missouri) In September 2011, a local 16-year-old female, Rachel N. Gannon, reportedly was texting while driving resulting in a fatal crash. Loretta Larimer, 72, was killed.

Gannon pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, third-degree assault and violating the 2009 Missouri law that prohibits motorists 21 or younger from texting while driving.

Gannon was driving a neighbor’s Honda Pilot when the wreck happened the afternoon of Sept. 26, 2011, in the 12200 block of Northwest Skyview Road.

Larimer, who had to be cut out of her Nissan Altima, was pronounced dead at a hospital. Her granddaughter suffered a chipped arm bone, an injured neck and numerous bruises.

At the scene, Gannon told police she was looking at her phone when she lost control. As she attempted to regain control, the vehicle slid across the roadway and into Larimer’s car.

At the time, a circuit court judge suspended Gannon’s sentence and placed her on five years’ probation. She was ordered to serve 48 hours of “shock time” in the county jail, find a job, serve 72 days of house arrest and perform 300 hours of community service.

One might imagine that Gannon would have gotten the message and watched her p's and q's while on probation. She didn't.

For her conviction and repeat violations of probation, Rachel N. Gannon was sentenced yesterday to three years and six months in prison.