Tablet Found Open to YouTube During Fatal Crash Investigation
Investigators are examining whether driver distraction contributed to a fatal multi-vehicle crash in Kansas City, Missouri, after finding a tablet with the YouTube app open inside the tractor-trailer involved in the collision.
Tablet Found Inside Truck
According to court records and police statements, accident investigators recovered an electronic tablet from the truck’s floorboard with YouTube open. The device reportedly had Velcro attached to it, indicating it may previously have been secured to a dashboard or center-console mount visible to the driver.
Authorities have not said whether the tablet was actively being used at the moment of the crash. Investigators also found no indication that the truck’s brakes had been applied before the collision, according to the preliminary investigation.
Three People Killed
The truck, driven by 39-year-old Eldar Skander, was involved in a crash that killed three people traveling in a minivan, including two children. Three additional occupants of the minivan were taken to a hospital in critical condition.
The driver of a Honda CR-V was also hospitalized in critical condition. The driver of a Ford Explorer suffered injuries and was listed in stable condition. Skander sustained minor injuries and was treated at a hospital before being arrested and taken into custody.
Investigators Seek Electronic Evidence
Investigators also identified a dashcam inside the truck’s cab that they believe may have recorded the crash. Search warrants were issued for the dashcam, the tablet and Skander’s personal cellphone.
Officials said Skander declined to participate in an interview with detectives. The investigation remains focused on reconstructing the crash and determining what role, if any, electronic-device use or driver distraction played in the collision.
