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PROVO -- The family of a woman killed in an auto-pedestrian accident hopes her death can send an important message about the dangers of texting while driving.
Jessica Wilson was a BYU graduate and was working as a social worker. But her promising life suddenly ended along the BYU campus two years ago, and those have been two very difficult years for Wilson's family, especially her older sister.
Jessica would like people to not text and drive, and to learn from what has happened.
–Genevieve Wilson
"We are grateful that the case is moving forward," Genevieve Wilson said. "It's an unfortunate incident, and we hope no one else has to go through this."
Inside the courtroom Wednesday, the man behind the wheel -- Cade Krueger -- heard the charges against him. Prosecutors said it was an accident caused by a driver who was distracted.
"We do feel we can show he was texting while driving," said Utah County Chief Deputy Attorney Tim Taylor. "Whether or not we can prove he was negligent at the time, that's the challenge of the case."
At the time, Krueger blamed the accident along North Campus drive on someone honking their horn at him. But after prosecutors reviewed cell phone records, surveillance video and Krueger's interview with police, he was charged with negligent homicide - two years after the accident.
"Texting out there is a huge, huge problem, no doubt about it," said Taylor. "But this is to hold an individual accountable. It's basically why we filed it."
While the prosecution of Krueger may not be about sending a message about texting and driving, Genevieve Wilson believes if her sister could speak today, she would plead with drivers to focus on their driving.
"Jessica would like people to not text and drive, and to learn from what has happened," she said.
Wilson's friend from Estonia who was critically hurt in the accident did recover, but still has to deal with ongoing pain. She returned home last summer, but may have to return to the U.S. in the future for another surgery.
Attempts to speak with Krueger and his attorney Wednesday were declined.
