- Aaron Deveau, 18, is convicted of vehicular homicide and texting while driving
- Deveau denied texting at the time of the crash
- The crash fatally injured Donald Bowley, 55, and injured Bowley's girlfriend
(CNN) -- A Massachusetts teen was convicted Wednesday of homicide as a result of texting while driving.
In a landmark case for the state, Aaron Deveau, 18, was found guilty on charges of vehicular homicide, texting while driving, and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.
Prosecutors said Deveau was texting while driving in Haverhill, Massachusetts, on February 20, 2011, causing a crash that resulted in the death of Donald Bowley, 55, of Danville, New Hampshire.
Prosecutors said Deveau's car crossed the center line and hit the vehicle Bowley was driving.
Bowley's girlfriend, Luz Ramon, was in his car with him and suffered serious injuries.
Haverhill Detective Thomas Howell testified the impact left the two "almost folded into the floorboards."
Bowley died March 10, 2011, after he was taken off life support.
"My brother received such head trauma that ... there was no hope for him," Bowley's sister, Donna Burleigh, said in court.
Assistant District Attorney Ashlee Logan argued that Deveau may have erased some of his texts or lied to police after the accident about when he was texting.
Deveau said after the crash in a taped interview with police, which was played in court, "I was tired. I was distracted. When I looked away for one quick second, I came too close to her and I was trying to hit my brakes."
His defense lawyer claimed authorities set out from the beginning to link texting to the crash, a cause-and-effect relationship that he contends is not valid.
Some 38 states ban text messaging for all drivers while 31 prohibit all cell phone use by "novice drivers," according to the Governor's Highway Safety Association.
