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Texting While Driving Likely Caused Celeb Surgeon's Crash

Heidi Montag's doctor went over Malibu cliff

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 18, 2010 12:08 PM CDT

(Newser) – Dr. Frank Ryan, plastic surgeon to the stars, was texting while driving just before he went over a cliff in Malibu and died, his ex-girlfriend tells People. Ryan, who performed surgery on Heidi Montag among others, reportedly went over the side around 4:30pm. Shortly before that, he tweeted a message about having just hiked a sand dune in Malibu. His last tweet was a picture of his dog on top of the dune.

Ryan’s ex-girlfriend says investigators told Ryan’s family that his tweeting caused the crash, but CHP will only confirm that the doctor was texting before he went over the side—and “it is one of the elements that we are investigating” as a cause of the accident. Jill, the border collie in the picture, was in the car with Ryan but survived the crash, TMZ reports.

In this March 29,2007 file photo, celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. Frank Ryan arrives at a launch party in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles.
In this March 29,2007 file photo, celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. Frank Ryan arrives at a launch party in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Chris Polk, file)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 19 comments
UmbrellaExecutive
Aug 19, 2010 12:26 AM CDT
So much for letting people die with dignity. Just say it was an accident, jeeze!
ebcooper
Aug 18, 2010 9:52 PM CDT
Well, don't let his death be in vain! You can not text and drive SAFELY! I certainly am thankful that no inocent person was killed because he didn't know he couldn't look at 2 seperate things at the same time,but has sense enough to be a doctor? Wow! Maye hs friends, loved ones, and patients will all take Oprah's NO PHONE PLEDGE!! I did, however, I HAVE NEVER BEEN STUPID ENOUGH TO TEXT and drive!
JohnEd
Aug 18, 2010 9:10 PM CDT
Ha!, another Darwin award recipient!!!
 

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