A distracted driver who caused a deadly crash while using Snapchat behind the wheel has been given just one year of probation.

Eric Wittlief, 23, pleaded guilty to reckless and careless driving after the death of Christ Brown, 58, in August 2021.

Investigators determined that Wittlief was driving his truck and using his phone minutes before the crash, according to court documents obtained by the Daily Mail.

Police were called to the scene on Highway 14 and found Wittlief unconscious in his vehicle. 

He had suffered injuries to his mouth, jaw and hand, and was experiencing significant bleeding as he lay across the front row and appeared not to be wearing a seatbelt.

As troopers investigated the scene, they noted that Wittlief's phone vibrated several times and that a message on the device stated he was running late to work, prosecutors said. 

Brown and his wife, Laura, were in the other car.

She told police she was driving the car when Wittlief's truck crossed the centerline.

'[Laura] attempted to swerve out of the way but was unable to avoid being hit head-on by the truck,' prosecutors said.

Brown sustained severe blunt force injuries in the crash and was transported to the hospital where he died the next day.

Troopers performed an accident reconstruction of the crash and determined Wittlief was driving eastbound when he crossed over the double yellow solid centerlines and hit the Browns head-on in the westbound lane, according to the charging document. 

Cell phone data also showed Wittlief had Google Maps running when the crash occurred, and he was sending and receiving Snapchat messages minutes before the collision. 

'Troopers determined a contributing factor for the crash was [Wittlief] sending and receiving multiple Snapchat messages while driving, minutes before the crash was reported,' prosecutors said.

The data also showed that Wittlief was using Facebook Messenger to send and receive messages prior to the crash.

After attempting to have the case dismissed entirely, he took a plea deal for the lesser charges of reckless and careless driving.

'I have no independent recollection of the events of that afternoon as I suffered traumatic brain injury as a result of the accident,' Wittlief wrote in his plea.

However, he later changed his mind.

'Based upon the amount of time I was on my phone that it conscious choice and was substantial and unjustifiable risk that could result in harm to others or others' property,' he said.

'As result of the accident Mr Brown passed away,' Wittlief added. 

Judge Dwight D. Luhmann sentenced him to one year of supervised probation on Friday.

According to his obituary, Brown was a beloved father and grandfather who enjoyed the outdoors.

'Known as Blue Dot to many, Christ enjoyed playing softball, golfing, bowling, fishing and hunting,' his obituary stated.

'He also coached the Stockton youth baseball program to many victories. As a grandpa he loved watching his granddaughters play softball and spending time with them at the farm.'

The Daily Mail has contacted the prosecutors office and Wittlief's attorney for comment.