DENVER (AP) -- Alexander Heit's final text cut off in mid-sentence. Before he could send it, police say the 22-year-old University of Northern Colorado student drifted into oncoming traffic, jerked the steering wheel and went off the road, rolling his car.
Heit died shortly after the April 3 crash, but his parents and police are hoping the photo of the mundane text on his iPhone will serve as a stark reminder to drivers.
The photo, published Wednesday in The Greeley Tribune, shows Heit was responding to a friend by typing "Sounds good my man, seeya soon, ill tw" before he crashed.
This April 3, 2013 photo provided by the Greeley Police shows the text message University of Northern Colorado student Alexander Heit was typing to an unidentified person when police say he lost control of his car and ran off the road. He was taken to North Colorado Medical Center where he later died. Now his parents are hoping to convince others not to text and drive. The name of the message's recipient was redacted by the Greeley Police to protect the recipient's identity. Credit: AP
Witnesses told police that Heit appeared to have his head down when he began drifting into the oncoming lane in the outskirts of Greeley, where the University of Northern Colorado is located. According to police, an oncoming driver slowed and moved over just before Heit looked up and jerked the steering wheel.
Police say Heit, a Colorado native who loved hiking and snowboarding, had a spotless driving record and wasn't speeding.
In a statement released through police, Heit's mother said she doesn't want anyone else to lose someone to texting while driving.
"In a split second you could ruin your future, injure or kill others, and tear a hole in the heart of everyone who loves you," Sharon Heit said.
