Driver dies after posting 'happy' Facebook selfie and status from behind the wheel

A driver has died in a head-on collision moments after posting a Facebook selfie and status update from behind the wheel, telling friends how happy she was.

Courtney Sanford added the post to her Facebook timeline at 8.33am as she drove to work.

Police were called to the accident just one minute later.

The 32-year-old's car crossed the central reservation and smashed into a recycling truck before bursting into flames.

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The driver of the truck, which hit a tree, was not seriously hurt.

Police said Ms Sanford was travelling along Interstate 85 in North Carolina when the Facebook updates were posted and there was no evidence of drink or drugs.

The link to Facebook emerged after friends of the victim told officers a number of her online posts appeared at around the same time as the accident.

Police said Ms Sanford posted a series of pictures of herself as she drove along the road.

In an apparent reference to Pharrell Williams' latest hit, one update read: 'The Happy song makes me so happy.'

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High Point police officer Lt Chris Weisner told WGHP TV the crash was a tragic example of what can happen when motorists 'text and drive'.

'In a matter of seconds a life was over, just so she could notify some friends she was happy,' he said.

'It’s really not worth it. As sad as it is, it's also a grim reminder for everyone ... you just have to pay attention while you're in the car.'