Teens, Alcohol, Crowded Cars Result in Accident Involving 12 Young People

On February 5 at approximately 2 a.m., a Dodge Ram extended cab struck a Honda Accord.
The Dodge Ram contained six people, ranging in age from 22 to 27. The Honda Accord also contained six people, including two 15-year-olds, an 18-year old, two 19-year-olds and the 17-year-old driver. Of the twelve people involved, seven were sent to the hospital. The 19-year-old, who was sitting on the lap of a fellow passenger in the front seat of the Honda, suffered the most serious injuries when he was partially ejected from the vehicle. He remains in serious condition at Harborview Medical Center with head injuries. Police ascertained the driver and passengers of the Dodge Ram were drinking before the accident and discovered two cases of beer in the trunk of the Honda Accord.

A recent study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that the majority of people killed in teen driver crashes are those other than the teen driver themselves. The study showed that teen drivers comprise slightly more than one-third of all the fatalities in crashes in which they are involved; whereas nearly two-thirds of those killed are other vehicle users and pedestrians. All individuals injured in this accident should retain personal injury attorneys to protect their rights and options.

Police have arrested the driver of the Dodge Ram, who has been charged with driving under the influence and four counts of vehicular assault. For more information: Collision sends 7 to hospital.