Serious car accident in New York kills 1, injures 2

A tragic crash has claimed the life of a 17-year-old girl, according to local law enforcement. The girl was a passenger in a single-car accident in Long Island on Aug. 30, New York police have confirmed. So far, police have not charged the driver involved in the crash with an infraction, but their investigation is ongoing. 

The accident report states that the 19-year-old driver of the vehicle was also transporting the 17-year-old girl, an 18-year-old girl and a 20-year-old man when the crash occurred. It appears the driver lost control of the vehicle, which subsequently struck a telephone pole before ramming into a house. The force of the impact caused such severe damage to the building, inspectors were forced to condemn it. 

The driver was able to extricate himself from the vehicle and sustained only minor injuries. The other three passengers were taken to local hospitals with injuries ranging from moderate to critical. The 17-year-old was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Police have not openly speculated about what may have caused the crash, but they have not ruled out negligent or reckless driving. Their investigation is still underway as of this report. 

No matter what caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, New York state law will allow the injured parties and the family of the deceased girl to file civil lawsuits including personal injury and wrongful death. These suits would be filed against the driver and any other party with ownership interest in the vehicle. Any evidence police gather suggesting the driver’s actions were directly responsible for the car accident can be used to support a civil case, even in the absence of a criminal charge. 

Source: CBS New York, “Teen Killed, 2 Seriously Hurt After Car Crashes Into Home On Long Island“, Aug. 31, 2015