A Canadian man grieving over his girlfriend’s death released the final text messages she sent before her car slammed into the back of a truck, hoping they serve as a warning to others who engage in the deadly practice.
Mathieu Fortin and Emy Brochu, 20, were carrying out a conversation via text on Jan. 18 before she died. Police said the texting contributed to her death, CTV reported.
“This conclusion was a shock because during the tragedy, I was having a conversation with her by text,” Fortin writes in French on a Facebook tribute. “I have attached our latest texts for awareness and ask you to think twice before texting and driving.”
Brochu’s crash happened about 10:45 a.m. as she drove to school near Montreal.
Fortin said he was unaware she was driving at the time.
More from GlobalPost: Air traffic controllers caught texting, sleeping on job
She wrote to him, The Toronto Sun reported, “I love you too and I’ll try to make you happy.”
He responded, “I would have preferred to hear your beautiful voice, but anyway … We’ll talk again this evening before six. Have a good day at school bb, I kiss you all over :)”
When she didn’t respond, he wrote, “Is everything ok my love?”
Despite a growing ban on texting or talking while driving, it still contributes to 24 percent of American car crashes, ABC News reported.
“It’s important to remember that most cell phone communications require two parties,” the National Safety Council’s David Teater told ABC. “It takes two to text, so you have a responsibility not to participate in such risky behavior. It’s almost like letting a friend leave a bar drunk and get behind the wheel.”
More from GlobalPost: How Israel dodged the economic crisis
Every day, reporters and producers at The World are hard at work bringing you human-centered news from across the globe. But we can’t do it without you. We need your support to ensure we can continue this work for another year.
Make a gift today, and you’ll help us unlock a matching gift of $67,000!