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Cop causes 80-year-old's death in texting-and-driving crash, according to reports
Deputy Stephanie Grisham, 38, stands accused of texting while driving resulting in a crash that killed an innocent civilian.
Published July 29, 2024 at 4:05pm by Jonathan Limehouse
Idaho Sheriff's Deputy Charged in Deadly Crash
A sheriff's deputy in Idaho, Stephanie Grisham, 38, has been charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter in connection with a February crash that killed 80-year-old Robert Beal.
Court records and a probable cause affidavit obtained by East Idaho News detail the incident, revealing:
- Grisham was driving a Bingham County Sheriff's Office SUV when she struck Beal's Dodge Ram pickup truck head-on in the eastbound lane.
- Beal died at the scene, while his 76-year-old wife was hospitalized with serious injuries.
- Grisham's dashcam footage and cell phone records indicate she was texting at the time of the crash.
- This was confirmed by a responding Firth Fire Captain, who recalled Grisham saying, "I screwed up. I was on my phone texting. I'm such an idiot."
Grisham's attorney, Dennis P. Wilkinson, provided no comment but confirmed a not-guilty plea. Attempts to reach law enforcement and the Bingham County Magistrate Court for comment were unsuccessful.
Read more: Sheriff's deputy accused of texting and driving in crash that killed 80-year-old: Reports