A teenage girl was live-streaming herself on Facebook while driving on a Pennsylvania highway when a tractor-trailer struck her car from behind, instantly killing her and and one of her friends.

According to Pennsylvania State Police, 18-year-old Brooke Miranda Hughes was broadcasting the late night car ride on Interstate 380 near Tobyhanna. “Are you going live?” were the last words of her friend Chaniya Morrison-Toomey, 19, who was sitting in the passenger's seat. Before Hughes could answer her friend, the sound of screeching tires accompanied with a bright tractor-trailer light glared into the camera, affirming that the girls had been plowed by the large vehicle. The phone continues to record, capturing seven minutes of darkness, except towards the end of the footage when a man with a beard can be heard speaking before the video cuts off.

State police believe that the girls were driving on a spare tire, but they aren't sure. After being hit the girls' car burst into flames, severely damaging the car and making it difficult for officials to determine its original state. Autopsies from the Monroe County Coroner's Office disclose that the girls were nearly unidentifiable due to the burns they suffered. However, tractor-trailer driver Michael Jay Parks was left unscathed. Investigators say it's too soon to determine whether or not Parks will face charges. For now, the video has been removed from Facebook, with 7,000 views from people on the social media network. It will be used to further the investigation.

Although the accident is fairly recent and the details regarding what exactly occurred haven't been imparted, the fact that Hughes was driving and on Facebook simultaneously is a cause for concern. In fact, a survey commissioned by the Institute of Advanced Motorists reveals that using social media while driving has become a common phenomenon. The institution asked 2,000 drivers to name the two largest distractions they felt threatened their safety on the road, social media and texting were on the top of the list. The survey also indicated that drivers have noticed that this issue has gotten out of hand, with 77% of drivers claiming it's a bigger problem today than it was three years ago.

Using a cellular device while driving is illegal in the state of Pennsylvania. This means that if an officer spots drivers on their phone in their car, they have the authority to stop them and write a ticket. Drivers who break this law usually pay a hefty fine.

If you have experienced any injuries from a vehicle accident, you may be eligible for compensation. The Brod Law Firm is dedicated to giving you the best results possible. Contact them online or call 1-888-435-7946 for a free consultation. The Brod Law Firm is dedicated to fighting for our clients to get the best results possible.  We serve all of the state of Pennsylvania from our offices in Philadelphia, Reading and Bala Cynwyd.