Saline County Sheriff's Deputies investigated a New Year's Day crash caused by a driver plugging in a cell phone for charging.
James D. Trogolo, 29, Coello, at 6:53 p.m. was driving west on state Route 142 behind a vehicle driven by Wyatt K. Grathler, 17, Eldorado, according to an accident report.
Trogolo told deputies he was plugging in the phone and looked up to see Grathler's vehicle, preparing to turn onto Moore Road and could not stop in time to avoid colliding into the rear of the Grathler vehicle, the report indicates.
In the vehicle were Steven R. Grathler, 42; Tammy A. Grathler, 46; Dallas R. Verble, 18; and Nashon Miller, 8; all of Eldorado.
All refused ambulance transportation and told deputies they were taking themselves to a hospital by private vehicles.
Trogolo was cited on a charge of failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.
