Tragic Accident Kills San Antonio Doctor – Is Cell Phone At Fault?

Beth Janicek

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Tragedy is common in the emergency room of the University Hospital. On Sunday, a different type of tragedy struck the ER of the University Hospital. Dr. Michael Sanchez, a doctor who transformed the ER at the University Hospital, died while jogging on Bandera Rd. when a Ford Explorer traveling in the middle lane swerved, crossed the right hand lane and struck Dr. Sanchez. Dr. Sanchez wound up in the hands of Dr. Stephen Cohn who had recently promoted him.

Phillip Smith, the driver of the SUV, appeared shaky and unsteady after the accident. A field sobriety test was done and he passed. He consented to a blood test but will take weeks to get the results.

Smith claims his cell phone rang, he answered it, he saw the jogger, hit his brakes and swerved off the road hitting the doctor. An investigation is ongoing and it will be interesting to see if a cell phone was a factor in this tragic accident.

Bringing me to touch on the topic of cell phone use while driving or worse texting while driving. I have blogged on these issues numerous times in the past and sadly and ironically, I blogged on text messaging while driving and the concerns ER doctors have regarding this issue. In 2007, Triple AAA did a study wherein 46% of teens 16 to 17 years old admitted to texting while driving. The study continues to state that most accidents were involving 19 to 26 year olds.

These days everyone has cell phones but the bottom line is cell phones and driving don’t mix. You’re in your car, you’re in heavy traffic on the highway, your cell phone rings, you take your eye off the road to find or answer your cell phone, in that same instant, traffic in front of you comes to a complete stop. That simple little distraction can cause you or someone else their life – it’s just not worth it. My next blog topic will be on this very subject -- Top Ten Driving Distractions.

Whether a cell phone was a factor in this terrible loss of a well respected doctor is yet to be determined.