Most of us know the rule—don’t use your phone while driving. And yet, many of us still do. I’ve been guilty of it myself, but after learning about 17-year-old Katelyn Ray, I’ve vowed to never let my phone distract me on the road again.
On the morning of September 5, 2018, Katelyn was driving to pick up her older sister from work. But she never made it.
While traveling down a Mississippi highway, Katelyn failed to notice a school bus that had slowed down in front of her. She crashed into it at full speed—never hitting the brakes.
Miraculously, all twelve children on the bus were unharmed. But Katelyn was killed instantly.
When first responders arrived, they found her phone still in her hand. Police believe she was distracted by it in the moments before the crash.
Her mother, Shelia, had spoken to her just before the accident. That call would be the last time she ever heard her daughter’s voice.
The local sheriff later shared a powerful message:
“No brake marks. Phone still in her hand.”
Katelyn’s story is a tragic, avoidable loss. It’s a reminder that looking at your phone—even for a second—can change everything. Please, stay focused when you’re behind the wheel. Share this to help save a life.
