Teen Driver Facing Vehicular Homicide Charges

A teen driver who was involved in a fatal accident has been indicted and he is facing vehicular homicide charges.

The accident happened on June 19, 2017, when the young man was driving a Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck. The truck left the pavement and rolled, crashing down an embankment. In the process, it slammed into a tree.

The driver, who is now 18 years old and was just 17 when the crash happened, was wearing his seat belt. His passenger, who was 16 years old, also had a seat belt on. Even so, though the driver lived through the wreck, the passenger was killed.

The driver’s injuries were said to be minor, and emergency crews did take him to a hospital. The passenger was already deceased at the crash site.

Investigative efforts by the police found that, though the speed limit in that area was 55 mph, the truck was likely going around 73 mph when it rolled and crashed. The indictment accuses the driver of being reckless and disregarding the safety of others.

Furthermore, he is facing charges for the use of marijuana, which tests found in his system after the crash. The indictment states that the presence of the drug in his system shows that he was a “less safe driver.” Though he is accused of driving under the influence as a result, reports do not indicate that alcohol use was involved.

When a child is taken away too soon by a tragic car accident, it’s important for the family to know all of their legal rights.