A 21-year-old Utah man has pleaded guilty for two counts of negligent homicide for causing a car crash while texting behind the wheel.

Reggie P. Shaw told a judge that texting had caused him to loose control of his SUV, which clipped a passing vehicle that lost control and was hit by a truck on Valley View Highway on September 22, 2006. The impact proved fatal for the occupants of the car, James A. Furfaro, 38, and Keith P. O’Dell, 50, who were on their way to work.

Shaw has agreed to several conditions under the guilty plea, which may free him of class-A misdemeanor charges. Under the terms of the agreement, Shaw is required to make public appearances to educate people about the dangers of texting while driving, and he is to assist legislators working on anti-texting laws. He will also appear in public service video announcements.

Shaw has one year to complete these terms, and then the state may dismiss the charges. However, Shaw will most likely serve just 15 to 90 days in the Cache County jail.

The families of the victims are, unsurprisingly, appalled by the outcome. Formal sentencing is scheduled for February 24.

More here.