Authorities say Martinez's car was struck by another driver in a white Mitsubishi and he died at the scene.
"The fact that the driver of the Saturn was not only distracted by the vehicle next to him, he was also distracted by having a cell phone conversation while he was driving down the road," said Sgt. S. Wolverton with the Harris County Sheriff's Office. "So many distractions going on that he obviously wasn't paying attention to the traffic in front of him."
How to avoid being a distracted driver is on the curriculum at one Houston area driving school. Teen student drivers are told there's only one safe place for the cell phone and other electronic devices while driving.
"Put it in the trunk, lock it up," advised Brandon Coleman of Safeway Driving. "What's easier to do -- put your phone in the trunk or bury a family member?"
It's a harsh lesson students say they will remember.
"I never want to be responsible for causing a terrible crash by being a distracted driver," said student driver Colin Legge. "It does make an impression on me."
