Billy Joe Grimes, a commercial truck driver from Tennessee, faces serious charges following a fatal road accident in Minnesota in August 2023. Charged with two counts of criminal vehicular homicide and one count of criminal vehicular operation, Grimes allegedly was distracted by a Netflix show on his phone at the time of the accident.
The crash occurred on Interstate 35, where Grimes, heading north, failed to slow down despite signage indicating a construction zone and slowed traffic ahead. He rear-ended a Toyota Camry and a Chevrolet pickup pulling a trailer, sending both vehicles into a ditch, and ending up near railway tracks. Investigations used footage from roadside and dashboard cameras to determine that Grimes was actively watching his phone during the incident. Despite warnings to decelerate, he continued with his cruise control engaged, showing no signs of braking.
This incident highlights the dangers of driver distraction, especially for operators of heavy vehicles. Authorities stress the importance of vigilance and adherence to road safety signs to prevent such tragedies in the future.
