PHOENIX, AZ – A truck driver involved in a fatal collision in Arizona last year has been sentenced to over 22 years in prison. The driver, Danny Tiner, 38, was convicted of five counts of negligent homicide arising from the crash, which occurred while he was distracted by TikTok videos on his cellphone.
The tractor-trailer that Tiner was operating was involved in a six-vehicle crash on January 12, 2023, on Interstate 10 in Chandler, Arizona. Two commercial vehicles were part of the collision, and the accident occurred in a section of the interstate that had already been closed due to another crash involving several semi-trucks.
Tiner was arrested and booked into jail on June 29, 2023, with a $300,000 bond, following an extensive investigation.
Court documents reveal that Tiner pleaded guilty to five counts of negligent homicide. He was sentenced to 4 ⅟₂ years for each count, served consecutively, totalling 22 ⅟₂ years. He will receive a 415-day credit for the time spent in jail.
According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Tiner was distracted by a message on his work tablet at the time of the crash. When he looked up, he found traffic had stopped. However, he was unable to stop his vehicle in time and caused the collision. During the investigation, it was discovered that Tiner’s vehicle was going 68 mph in a 55 mph construction zone. The driver was also actively using TikTok on his cellphone when the accident occurred.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in a statement, “As a driver, you have an obligation to pay attention to the road. To choose to access social media while driving, placing the lives of others on the line is reckless.”