A FedEx truck driver checked his phone dozens of times in less than a minute before crashing into a Honda Accord on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, killing a father and his two kids, police say.

Santos M. Valentin, 30, from Philadelphia, survived the July 20, 2024, crash in Lancaster County. Now, he’s facing three counts of vehicular homicide along with several other driving-related charges.

The crash that took 3 lives

Responders pronounced a 43-year-old man and his children, an 11-year-old and 18-year-old, dead at the scene.

According to Pennsylvania State Police, troopers arrived at the crash site around 4:20 a.m. near mile marker 268.7 in Penn Township. Valentin was on a gurney when they got there. He told them the Honda “came out of nowhere” and that he didn’t see it in time.

He estimated he had been driving between 70 and 75 mph. But his truck’s dashcam told a different story. Investigators found that he had been staring at his phone for an extended period before the impact.

At about 4:19 a.m., the Honda moved from the left lane into the right lane ahead of Valentin’s truck. Dashcam footage showed Valentin glued to his phone as the Honda slowed to a stop in front of him. Seconds later, he plowed into it. Both vehicles veered off the road, and the truck ended up on top of the Honda.

Police also noted that Valentin wasn’t wearing his seatbelt. Footage showed him bouncing around inside the cab during the collision.

Distracted driving at its worst

Police say Valentin split his attention between his phone and the road in the critical seconds leading up to the crash. He checked his phone 25 times in 48 seconds and looked at the road only 20 times during that span.

The Lancaster County coroner’s office confirmed the Hicksons died from multiple traumatic injuries. Their deaths were ruled accidental.

Valentin was treated at a nearby hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe set up for the Hickson family has raised over $24,000, PennLive shared..

If convicted, Valentin could face serious jail time. In Pennsylvania, each vehicular homicide charge carries up to seven years in prison. With three counts against him, he could spend over two decades behind bars. Additional charges, including reckless driving and cellphone use while operating a commercial vehicle, could increase his penalties.

Pennsylvania law strictly forbids commercial drivers from holding or using a cell phone while driving. Breaking this rule can lead to heavy fines, license suspensions, and even criminal charges when accidents result.

FedEx driver requirements

FedEx drivers must hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL), often with prior trucking experience. They also undergo background checks, drug tests, and driving evaluations. The company provides safety training, but distracted driving remains a huge issue in the trucking industry.