Girl falls into manhole while texting, parents sue

**sputnik** · July 13th, 2009, 02:27 PM

Gadget Lab Hardware News and Reviews
Girl Falls Into Manhole While Texting, Parents Sue

By Charlie Sorrel
July 13, 2009 |
9:06 am |

It’s hard to decide who are the biggest morons in this story: parents or daughter. 15 year-old Alexa Longueira was walking along Victory Boulevard in Staten Island when she fell into an open manhole.
Why didn’t she see it? You’re ahead of me here. She was too intent on tapping out a text message to notice the gaping gap in the sidewalk and just dropped straight on in. Idiotic, yes, but now Alexa’s parents are trying to blame someone else for their daughter’s stupidity while making a little money into the bargain. They’re suing the city.
I’m all for punishing people who walk the streets staring into the tiny screens of their cells. They’re a danger to cyclists, for one, and at the very best they’re an annoyance to normal pedestrians, the kind who actually look where they’re walking. That Alexa’s parents are not doing anything to teach her a lesson but instead are blaming city workers is quite ridiculous.
In this case, though, it appears that the girl isn’t so dumb. Here’s the erudite sentence she gave of the Department of Environmental Protection workmen’s apology after they helped her out of the hole: “They were just, like, ‘I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”
And yes, her parents are also witty masters of the English language. The mother, Kim Longueira, speaking to MSNBC: “Oh my God, it was putrid. One of her sneakers is still down there”
Texting Teen Falls Down Manhole [MSNBC]
Photo: fdecomite/Flickr

Girl Falls Into Manhole While Texting, Parents Sue | Gadget Lab | Wired.com

**Beeyotch** · July 13th, 2009, 02:31 PM

They should publish her picture so we could all point and laugh at her stupid ass! Look where you're walking, dummy!

I hope the suit is laughed out of court. The city should fine her for being a danger to other traffic, like the article pointed out.

**DeChayz** · July 13th, 2009, 02:48 PM

Well as long as there were cones or some other markers warning of the open manhole, what case does this dumb bitch have?

**MoodyJenny86** · July 13th, 2009, 03:29 PM

WTF?

It was her own damn fault!

I swear to god...people sue for ANYTHING these days!

It's getting ridiculous!

**cmmdee** · July 13th, 2009, 03:51 PM

Ah, suing ... it's the American way.

Hope they lose badly.

**WhateverLolaWants** · July 13th, 2009, 03:54 PM

You know, the theatre I worked in was shaped unusually so that the top half off the theatre wall actually jutted out into the reception area. One day i wasn't paying attention and I smacked into it while walking to work. Probably concussed myself.

When people aren't paying attention to where they're going its their OWN STUPID FAULT when they smack into something/fall into something, no matter what they happen to be doing at the time.

**Honey** · July 13th, 2009, 10:21 PM

It was putrid!

**RevellingInSane** · July 14th, 2009, 10:00 AM

I agree this girl is a complete moron, but if the manhole had no warning sign and was not even attempted to be blocked, the parents might have a case.

**TonjaLasagna** · July 14th, 2009, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by RevellingInSane

I agree this girl is a complete moron, but if the manhole had no warning sign and was not even attempted to be blocked, the parents might have a case.

I 'text walk' but I'm always watching wear I walk. My #1 safety rule is never cross the street whilst texting.

**TheONe** · July 14th, 2009, 11:50 AM

If the area was not properly marked off then she has a case.

**Novice** · July 14th, 2009, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by DeChayz

Well as long as there were cones or some other markers warning of the open manhole, what case does this dumb bitch have?

We live in hopes!

**NicoleWasHere** · July 14th, 2009, 03:09 PM

Wether or not the manhole (lolz) was properly marked or not, how could she have seen any warnings when she was busy looking at her phone? She obviously wasn't watching where she was going.