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Teen charged in alleged Snapchat ‘speed filter’ crash

Posted at 3:52 PM, Jun 02, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-02 15:52:58-04

LOVEJOY, Ga. — A teenager involved in an accident while allegedly using Snapchat is now officially charged with a crime.

Lovejoy Police met with a judge on Wednesday to get a warrant for the arrest of Christal McGee. She’s charged with speeding, reckless driving, moving too fast for conditions, and injury by vehicle.

Prior to police filing criminal charges, an Atlanta law firm sued both McGee and Snapchat, alleging she used the app’s speed filter at the time of the crash, and that’s what motivated her to go above the speed limit.

The accident occurred in September 2015, but police did not conclude their investigation until June.

SOURCE: WSB

SOURCE: WSB

Witness disputes lawsuit’s social media claim

Days after the lawsuit was filed, WGCL tracked down a witnesswho said the lawyers have it all wrong.

Henry Williams is one of three other passengers who were in the car when the crash occurred in September. He said he was sitting right beside Christal McGee, the young lady named in the lawsuit for Snapchatting behind the wheel.

He said McGee was not using Snapchat behind the wheel, and the picture of her on a stretcher, now famously associated with the case, was taken long after the crash.

After their initial announcement to the media about their lawsuit, the law firm suing Snapchat has repeatedly ignored follow-up questions from WGCL.

SOURCE: WGCL

SOURCE: WGCL

App discourages use while driving

Snapchat does have a quick warning that pops up when you first use the speed filter saying, “Please do not snap and drive. Representatives from the company issued this statement:

“No Snap is more important than someone’s safety. We actively discourage our community from using the speed filter while driving, including by displaying a “Do NOT Snap and Drive” warning message in the app itself.”