Teen dies in New York car accident

One teenager was injured and another was killed following a single car crash in Orange County on April 30, according to local sources. New York police responded to the predawn car accident that claimed the life of a 16-year-old boy. Police have not determined whether alcohol was involved in the crash, but they are continuing to investigate at this time. 

According to the accident report, a 16-year-old boy and his 16-year-old male passenger had attended a prom earlier in the evening before heading to an after-party where alcohol was reportedly consumed. Sometime after this, the teen lost control of his vehicle and veered off the road, striking a utility pole and an earthen embankment. The passenger was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. 

The driver suffered a broken leg and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. A toxicology report was ordered to determine whether the driver had consumed alcohol the night of the crash, but it has been confirmed he was driving in violation of his learner’s permit, which does not allow him to drive after 9 p,m. The incident is still under investigation as of this report. 

Should it be determined that the driver was drinking the night of the car accident, he could face criminal charges under New York law as it pertains to minors. Separately, the family of the deceased boy may choose to file a wrongful death suit against the driver and owner/s of the car. Such a suit is handled in civil court, but it often relies on evidence presented in any related criminal proceeding to support the claims of negligence. 

Source: recordonline.com, “Funeral set for Greenwood Lake teen killed in car crash”, Hema Easley, May 2, 2016