Unsent text message, typed before fatal crash, warns of dangers of texting and driving

This April 3, 2013 photo provided by the Greeley Police shows the text message University of Northern Colorado student Alexander Heit was typing to an unidentified person when police say he lost control of his car and ran off the road. He was taken to North Colorado Medical Center where he later died. (AP / Greeley Police)

A photo of an unfinished text message, typed by a Colorado university student who died in a car crash, is serving as a chilling reminder of the dangers of texting and driving.

A photo of the unsent text message was released by the parents of Alexander Heit, 22, who died on April 3 in a car crash near Greeley, Colo.

In the unfinished and unsent text message, Heit typed to an acquaintance: “Sounds good my man, seeya soon, ill tw."

Heit died after his car drifted into oncoming traffic, then swerved off the road and flipped over, Greeley police said.

Witnesses told police that Heit appeared to have his head down when his car started to drift into oncoming traffic. As an oncoming driver slowed down, Heit looked up and jerked his steering wheel, causing his car to swerve off the road, police said.

Heit was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died from his injuries. Officers found his cell phone in the vehicle. After consulting with his family, the photo was released.

Heit’s mother said she doesn’t want anyone else to go through a similar loss.

“I can’t bear the thought of anyone else having to go through something like this,” Sharon Heit said in a statement. “Please, vow to never, never text and drive. In a split second you could ruin your future, injure or kill others, and tear a hole in the heart of everyone who loves you.”

Police said Heit had a clean driving record and wasn’t speeding at the time of the crash.

Police Chief Jerry Garner said that although laws have been passed banning texting and driving, it’s still happening.

“Unfortunately, when we think to ourselves, ‘I’ll just do it this one time,’ we are fooling ourselves,” Garner said. “This 'one time' may be the only time. The Heit’s are sharing their tragedy and loss, in hope that through Alex’s story, others may realize and recognize just how dangerous texting and driving is.”