Posted online: Jun 14th, 2010

By Ursula Duddy
Reporter

THE heartbroken parents of a young man who lost his life in a car accident last year have warned against the dangers of using a mobile phone while driving.

Kevin O’Toole, 19, died on June 23, last year when he lost control of his vehicle on the Culmore Road.
At the inquest into his death at Derry Courthouse on Tuesday, it was determined that mobile phone use had been a contributing factor to the accident.
Kevin’s parents, Liz and Terence said it was uncharacteristic of him to use his mobile phone whilst driving but that, tragically, he had paid for one mistake with his life.
Speaking following the inquest, Kevin’s father, Terence, said he was a model son.
“He never smoked, drank or did drugs – he was actually a wee bit of a workaholic,” he said.
“He had his A-levels done and after he passed away we got his results which would have allowed him to go to university.
“He was going with a girl, Lauren McGowan, they were each other’s first loves. She was very, very cut up about it.
“She’s gone to Newcastle University now and is training to be a nurse.
“It’s been a tough time for everybody but he brought us no bother in life and he brought us no bother in death.”