The evidence from Snapchat causes the Indiana Court of Appeals to reverse a fatal crash judgment

Indianapolis, Indiana – The Indiana Court of Appeals has overturned a semi-driver’s conviction in connection with a fatal Cass County collision, ruling that the jury ought to have been made aware of evidence that the other vehicle was using Snapchat right prior to the collision.

On Monday, the court announced its decision in the Jaspreet Singh case.

A jury found Singh guilty of reckless murder in connection with the accident that killed Jamie Pay, 24, on March 1, 2021.

Singh missed the turn for U.S. 24 while traveling south on U.S. 35, according to the investigators. Singh then came to a stop in the left-hand lane of the highway, turned on the hazard lights, and started backing up.

Then, according to the police, Pay’s SUV struck the back of the semi while moving at up to 75 miles per hour.

A Snapchat message from Pay was likely received just seconds before the collision, according to an Indiana State Police investigation, and Pay failed to use the brakes in time to avoid the collision.

The appeals court determined that the trial judge erred by excluding the jury from hearing testimony about Pay’s cell phone use.

“Here, without the introduction of the Snapchat evidence or the evidence about distracted driving, the jury did not have the full picture of this tragic situation,” Judge Terry Crone wrote. “We cannot expect a jury to fulfill its duties in a vacuum.”

In this case, Singh received a six-year prison term.

Whether to have a new trial or file an appeal with the Indiana Supreme Court is up to the prosecutors to determine.