An Idaho father is facing manslaughter charges after reportedly engaging in phone activities shortly before a tragic car accident claimed the life of his 7-year-old son.
Austin Summers, 31, was behind the wheel of a black GMC Sierra when he allegedly collided with a 2013 white Ford F450. The incident occurred on I-84 in Canyon County, Idaho, as reported by the Idaho Statesman based on court filings. The Ford was experiencing mechanical difficulties at the time of the crash on November 25 of last year.
Graham, Summers’ eldest son sitting in the front passenger seat, died in the collision. His father was subsequently charged with manslaughter earlier this week.
According to allegations, Summers was driving between 73 and 75 mph in a 65 mph zone when he struck the Ford, which was traveling at a mere 7 mph in the far right lane.
Meanwhile, Summers’ other two children, aged 3 and 5 at the time, were seated in the back and fortunately emerged unscathed from the accident.
The dad was hospitalized and told cops one week later that he remembered “screaming to save his son” after the horror unfolded.
Summers was initially cooperative with cops during the early stages of their investigation– and initially agreed to hand over data from his phone. But he suddenly withdrew that request, forcing police to obtain a search warrant.
Investigators later found Summers had been using his phone between 2:45 p.m and 3:02 p.m., minutes before the fatal collision.
The dad scrolled on Instagram, browsed Amazon, snapped a picture of another crash site and drafted an Instagram story, according to court documents.
“Avoid th freeway heading [sic],” the text on the story supposedly said.
He also messaged Ashley Summers – the mother of his kids – “Stick [sic] in traffic,” according to KTVB. Summers and Ashley are separated.
Summers allegedly looked at an Instagram picture at 3:03 p.m. – one minute before a 911 call was logged.
It prompted Idaho State Police to conclude reckless driving was the primary cause of the smash.
Summers was also accused of not realizing that the Ford car in front was “barely moving,” police said.
The mechanical problem the Ford was experiencing was deemed a secondary cause by investigators. The Ford driver, who was 21 at the time of the crash, was uninjured, cops said in their initial release.
A urine sample was taken following the crash – and it tested positive for cocaine and opiates, according to the documents.
Ashley Summers claimed her estranged husband had admitted to her that he had used cocaine three days before the smash.
Summers also admitted to police that Graham had removed his seatbelt.
“While I am devastated by the loss of my son, I take responsibility not in that I was impaired by any means, or that Graham unilaterally took his seat belt off while I was driving on the freeway, but that I should have immediately pulled over and made sure he was properly buckled. That will haunt me forever,” he said.
Ashley showed cops messages where she had warned Summers about their kids’ safety while they were traveling in his car.
Tributes were paid to Graham following his death. In a fundraiser created to help Ashley and her two other kids, he was described as the “sweetest, kindest, and most smiley 7-year-old you could ever meet.”
“As a 2nd grader and an amazing big brother, Graham’s silly spirit and infectious smile brought joy to everyone around him,” the fundraiser added.
“He had a special way of making people laugh and always put a smile on everyone’s faces, no matter the situation. His loss has left a deep void in the hearts of his family, friends, and all who knew him.”
Summers was also charged with two counts of injury to a child and is being held at the Ada County Jail on a $500,000 bond.