Snapchat use blamed for crash that caused the death of Janet Robyn Ward

A young driver veered onto the wrong side of the road while checking his phone, which resulted in a fatal crash. What the coroner said about the death.

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A young driver being distracted by his phone has been determined by the Coroner to be the sole cause of a fatal crash in 2022.

Janet Robyn Ward died on March 8, 2022, in a crash on Forth Road at Don.

According to the Coroner’s findings, Ms Ward’s husband, Leigh, was driving along the stretch of road in a Mazda 2 Neo hatchback — while 20-year-old James Jarman was coming in the opposite direction in a Ford Ranger dual-cab utility.

Coroner Olivia McTaggart. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE.

Coroner Olivia McTaggart said that Jarman crossed onto the other side of the road.

“Mr Ward was forced to take evasive action to avoid hitting the Ford utility,” Ms McTaggart said.

“However, there was no ability for Mr Ward to swerve further off the road — that being the correct side of the road for his direction of travel — due to the presence of large trees and an embankment.

“He, therefore, had no option but to move to the incorrect side of the road to avoid the Ford utility.

“At the same time, Mr Jarman veered back into his correct lane and collided head-on with the Mazda.”

Ms McTaggart said the crash “caused catastrophic damage to the Mazda, pushing the passenger side inwards towards the driver’s side”.

Mrs Ward had severe head and chest injuries and died at the scene.

The Snapchat app is open displayed on a phone.

Ms McTaggart said she was satisfied that “a very thorough investigation” had occurred into the crash.

“The evidence in the investigation revealed that Jarman was accessing the Snapchat instant messaging application on his phone in the seconds 2 before the crash.

“I am satisfied upon the evidence that no part was played in this crash by speed, alcohol, drugs, road and weather conditions, or vehicle defects.

“I am satisfied that the crash was solely due to Jarman’s negligent driving in crossing onto the wrong side of the road because he was distracted whilst using his mobile phone.

“Mr Ward could not have done anything more to avoid the crash.”

Jarman was sentenced to four months jail by Magistrate Evan Hughes in July 2024 after having pleaded guilty to causing death by negligent driving, wholly suspended on the condition that he does not commit another offence punishable by imprisonment for a year and a half.

He was also disqualified from driving for 14 months.

“In sentencing, Magistrate Hughes commented that no message, call or social media post is important enough to place other road users at risk,” Ms McTaggart said.

“I endorse this statement.

“It is a well-publicised fact that driver distraction caused by mobile phone use can so easily result in terrible consequences.

“Mrs Ward’s tragic death is such a case.”