A 44-year-old California woman has been charged after allegedly accessing a pornographic website less than two minutes before a fatal crash in Utah, US. Christine Chao faces an automobile homicide charge in connection with the June collision, which killed a 66-year-old man.
The case has put a disturbing spotlight on the consequences of distracted driving, particularly when drivers turn their attention to their phones instead of the road. Other reported incidents involving pornography and drivers have also raised safety concerns, from a fatal crash in the UK to complaints about ride-hailing services in Singapore and India.
Woman Allegedly Watched Porn Before Crash
The fatal collision occurred on 12 June 2026 on Interstate 15 near Levan, Utah, where traffic had slowed for a construction zone. According to charging documents, Chao's vehicle struck a white sedan, which then collided with an SUV ahead, sending all three vehicles off the road. Scott LaVar Lichfield, 66, was a passenger in the sedan that Chao allegedly struck. He suffered a head injury and later died.
Investigators subsequently obtained a warrant to search Chao's mobile phone and allegedly discovered that she had accessed the adult website XVideos less than two minutes before the crash. The charging documents also reportedly indicated that officers found no tyre marks suggesting she had attempted to brake before the collision.
Woman looking at porn while driving caused deadly car crash in Utah, cops say.
— TMZ (@TMZ) October 20, 2026
Full details: https://t.co/oxLX3TVpth pic.twitter.com/gYELYSGGPw
What Comes Next in Court?
Chao was charged with automobile homicide, a second-degree felony, on 20 October, following the investigation into the fatal collision. The case is subject for further legal proceedings, during which the allegations and evidence can be examined. A charge does not automatically establish guilt, and the final outcome will depend on the legal proceedings. Thus, no final verdict or sentence has been established yet.
Porn-Related Incidents on the Road
Other reported incidents have also raised concerns about drivers allegedly viewing pornographic content while behind the wheel, with some cases resulting in fatal crashes and others prompting passenger safety complaints.
In May 2024, truck driver Neil Platt fatally struck Danny Aitchison, 46, whose car was stationary in Lancashire, UK. Dashcam footage showed Platt using his phone to browse social media and view pornographic content before the collision. Aitchison died after his car was pushed into another vehicle and burst into flames. Platt later pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced to 10 years in prison in September 2025.
In April 2026, a passenger in Singapore alleged that a Grab driver was watching a Japanese pornographic video on a second phone while driving. The passenger also claimed the vehicle swayed from side to side, raising concerns about the driver's attention to the road. Grab confirmed in May that it was investigating the reported safety lapses and had temporarily suspended the driver's account.
In August 2026, another report described a woman's allegation that a Rapido auto-rickshaw driver watched pornography and masturbated during her ride in Delhi, India. Rapido said the driver had been permanently barred from its platform following a review.
🚨 TRAGEDY: A British father of two was killed after veteran truck driver Neil Platt, 43, slammed into his car while distracted by his phone.
— Tony Lane 🇺🇸 (@TonyLaneNV) September 20, 2025
Police say Platt had been scrolling social media and even had explicit images flashing on his feed moments before the crash. The impact… pic.twitter.com/7qvqTciUAU
The Risks of Distracted Driving
The Utah case adds to a series of disturbing reports about drivers allegedly engaging with sexual content while responsible for the safety of others. However, the circumstances differ, with the UK case resulting in a prison sentence and the Singapore and Delhi incidents involving complaints and company responses.
For Chao, the next stage will be the legal process and the examination of evidence surrounding the fatal crash. The case also serves as a stark reminder that taking attention away from the road can have irreversible consequences for drivers, passengers and other road users.
