Makes you fearful of going out and meeting one of these Darwin award contestants

JULY 13--A motorist who last night slammed his car into a tree in upstate New York told police that he was distracted playing “Pokémon Go” at the time of the crash, according to investigators.

The 28-year-old driver was not seriously injured in the accident, which left his car crumpled. The vehicle, seen in the adjacent police photo, careened off a road in the city of Auburn and struck a tree around 10:45 PM Tuesday. 

Police have not identified the driver, who suffered cuts to his legs and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. He is expected to be cited in connection with the one-car accident.

The motorist, cops say, “admitted to actively playing the ‘Pokémon Go’ game while driving causing him to become distracted and run off the roadway into a tree.” A police safety alert notes how “easily accidents can occur when someone is engaged in the game and not paying attention.”

While seeking to catch Pokémon while playing the popular augmented reality game, individuals should not be “operating a motor vehicle or bicycle,” cops advise. Additionally, “Do not trespass on private property when trying to ‘catch’ a Pokémon.” (2 pages)