AndrewBlakeArlington, TX – An 18-year-old Texas cheerleader was hit and killed by a driver who was blowing into his court-ordered ignition interlock device while driving.
Alexis Butler, of Arlington, was in her Toyota Camry backing out of her friend’s driveway at around 6:20 p.m. Nov. 10.
The 31-year-old truck driver took his eyes off the road for about four seconds to breathe into the ignition device when he struck the side of her car, according to police.
Butler was taken to the hospital but never regained consciousness. She died Nov. 18, according to KXAS.
Police said the 31-year-old truck driver told them he had an ignition interlock device in his truck, and as part of his court-ordered mandate, he had to provide a breath test every 15 minutes or so. He said he looked down “to provide a re-test” and did not see Butler, KXAS reported.
Police have not named the truck’s driver but have said he was not impaired at the time of the accident.
The ignition interlock device is a machine that shuts off a car when a driver is above the legal breath alcohol limit — but the New York Post said police were investigating the use while driving.
“Number one thing we’ll look at is tracking down the original court order to read exactly what it said,” Arlington Police Department Lt. Chris Cook.
“And more importantly for us, as a police department, is to determine what the manufacturer recommendation is as far as the guidelines in how to operate this type of equipment. It’s very concerning to us, as a police department, that an individual may be operating some type of ignition equipment while they’re in a moving vehicle,” Lt. Cook said.
Butler’s family released a statement to the media that said their daughter was “larger than life – everyone loved Lexxy – Her laugh, her smile, her bubbly personality.”
“She touched so many people’s lives in just her short 18 years, more than most will touch in a lifetime. Her legacy will continue to live on through her final selfless act of organ and tissue donation, which she elected. She will continue to touch lives even in death. We know we’ll see Lexxy again in Heaven and she’ll be an angel watching over us,” the statement read.
The police are forwarding their report to the prosecutor to determine if any charges will be filed.