Driver, Distracted By Snapchat, Flips Car In Crash: Police

PALOS HEIGHTS, IL — A Palos Heights man was texting and driving when his car slammed into another vehicle waiting for the light to change at an intersection, police said. Bryce A. McDade-Peters, 25, is charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and using a cellphone while driving. McDade-Peters is also charged with driving under the influence.

The accident happened at 4:06 p.m. Monday at the intersection of 135th Street and Ridgeland Avenue. A traffic camera captured McDade-Peters’ Chevy Cobalt traveling eastbound on 135th Street at a high rate of speed and slamming into a vehicle waiting at the intersection. The Cobalt flipped on its roof. McDade-Peters suffered minor injuries, but the other driver was not injured.

Deputy Chief Bill Czajkowski, of the Palos Heights Police Department, said McDade-Peters was texting on Snapchat when the accident occurred.

“This is another example of the seriousness of distracted driving in addition to being under the influence,” Czajkowski said.

McDade-Peters may have more charges added pending toxicology tests, police said.