Trial starts for teen charged with texting before fatal crash

HAVERHILL, Mass. (WHDH) -- The trial for a teenager accused of texting when his car collided head-on with another vehicle, killing the driver, is set to begin Tuesday. The 18-year-old will be the first person tried in Massachusetts for motor vehicle homicide while texting.

Aaron Deveau pleaded not guilty one year ago to the motor vehicle homicide charge as well as a charge of texting while driving.

Police say Deveau faces charges in connection with the death of 55-year-old Donald Bowley, Jr. The Danville, N.H. native died March 10, 2011 at Massachusetts General Hospital. Investigators say he died from injuries he suffered in a car accident with Deveau 18 days earlier.

According to investigators, Deveau was texting when he crossed over the center line on River Street and collided with Bowley's car.

A passenger in Bowley's car was also injured but she did survive. Luz Selena Roman, Bowley's girlfriend, was left severely disabled.

"I couldn't move at all. I was laying down in a bed, like paralyzed," Roman said.

In court, Bowley's sister explained why their family decided to take him off life support.

"My brother received such severe head trauma that he had. There was no hope for him," said Donna Burleigh, Bowley's sister.

Last November, Deveau was arrested on separate charge of possession of marijuana in a school zone.

In February, the eagle tribune reported that during a hearing for the possession case, Deveau's lawyer stated there is no evidence proving the 2011 crash caused Bowley's death.

The charges in the case are considered misdemeanors.