Former Marine Crashes Car into Tree After Playing ‘Pokémon Go’ at the Wheel

A man narrowly escaped with his life after crashing his car into a tree whilst playing the hit augmented reality game Pokémon Go.

Driver Steven Cary, a former US Marine, experienced “a broken ankle and cuts to his legs” but was otherwise alright in an accident that could very easily have been fatal.

“Yesterday evening, July 12, 2016 at approximately 10:44pm the Auburn Police Department responded to a motor vehicle accident[…] involving injury to the driver who crashed his vehicle into a tree,” wrote the police department in a report.

The driver admitted to actively playing the “Pokemon Go” game while driving causing him to become distracted and run off the roadway into a tree. Luckily the driver was not seriously injured but this is an example of how easily accidents can occur when someone is engaged in the game and not paying attention. The accident investigation is on-going.

After the accident, New York’s Auburn Police Department joined dozens of other law enforcement agencies around the world with a warning statement about the popular game, after numerous accidents, crimes, and even the discovery of a dead body have taken place since the game’s release.

With the sudden popularity of the recently released mobile phone application/game called “Pokemon Go” the Auburn Police Department would like to remind the public using common sense when playing the game should be paramount above everything else[…]

Do not use the application when you are operating a motor vehicle or bicycle

Do not trespass on private property when trying to “catch” a Pokemon

Be aware of your surroundings when walking and do not stare down at your phone not knowing hazards around you, like roadways, drop-offs, waterways, etc.

Use caution when sharing your location as strangers can see your location information

Travel in groups in public/well lit locations

The driver’s mother announced on Facebook that he had not been able to catch the “special” Pokémon which had distracted him and that his phone had been destroyed during the accident.

Charlie Nash is a reporter for Breitbart Tech. You can follow him on Twitter @MrNashington or like his page at Facebook.