Call Waiting
Grants man's fixation with cell phone causes rollover accident

Jacob Coleman's 2003 Hyundai rolled when he failed to navigate a bend at the Rio San Jose on Nimitz Drive during the early part of the winter storm that struck Grants in recent days. Despite the damage to the vehicle, as seen in this photo taken by Grants Police detective Moses Marquez, Coleman was not injured because he was wearing a seatbelt. [Courtesy Photo]

By Jim Tiffin
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — A 21-year-old Grants man, Jacob Coleman, of 1026 High St., was looking at his cell phone, and failed to maneuver through the bend in the road on Nimitz Drive late Tuesday afternoon, police said.

Coleman, who had been drinking prior to his accident, rolled the vehicle, causing major damage, said Grants Police Detective. Because he had been drinking prior to the accident, Coleman was administered field sobriety tests by Sgt. Corey Allen, but passed them, Marquez said.

The detective said Coleman told officers he was looking at his cell phone when the car swerved, went across the curb and the sidewalk on the right hand side of the road and hit a large mound of sand causing the car to roll over.

The mound of sand was placed there by a homeowner because the Rio San Jose River is crossed by Nimitz Drive at that spot and the sand prevents flooding, Marquez said.

"Mr. Coleman was very lucky to have avoided injury because he was wearing his seatbelt," Marquez said.

Marquez also said even though Coleman had been drinking prior to the accident and not paying attention, the road conditions, which were snowy and wet, contributed to the accident.

"For the driver's safety and the safety of others, drivers need to pay attention," Marquez said.

Mt. Taylor Ambulance responded to the accident, but Coleman was not injured and there were no other passengers in the car, Marquez said.

Coleman was cited for careless driving, Marquez said.

To contact reporter Jim Tiffin, call (505) 287-2197 or e-mail: jtiffin.independent@yahoo.com.