Text Messaging Blamed in Fatal Alabama Crash

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Authorities say text messaging contributed to a car crash that killed a young woman and her 10-month-old son in Chilton County.

Investigators say 18-year-old Randreaita Coleman was texting on her cell phone in the two or three minutes immediately before her car crossed a median Thursday and crashed into an oncoming dump truck.

Coleman was pronounced dead at the scene. Her son was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The Birmingham News reports that officials found an unsent text message on Coleman's cell phone after responding to the accident.

The Alabama Department of Public Safety says six people have died this year in crashes were cell phone use or texting was a factor.