LAGRANGE, IN (WTVB) - Authorities in Northeast Indiana say a distracted driver who had been drinking before he got behind the wheel was responsible for an accident that took the life of a 12-year old boy.

It happened Saturday night in LaGrange County. The Sheriff’s Department said 36-year old Jeremy Rupkey was driving near LaGrange and told deputies he was reaching down, looking to grab his cell phone on the passenger seat, when his vehicle struck a horse drawn cart.

Twelve-year old Jonathan Bontrager was operating the cart which he was thrown from following the collision. Bontrager died later after being flown to Parkview Hospital. Rupkey was jailed on a felony charge of Operating While Intoxicated Causing Death. The accident happened around 7:30 p.m. Saturday