Teen dead following drunk driving car accident in New York

New Year’s Eve turned tragic in Canisteo when a single-vehicle crash took the life of a 19-year-old man. New York authorities responded to the tragic car accident, which has been attributed to possible drunk driving, around 10 p.m. The 18-year-old who was driving is still in the hospital following the accident. 

According to preliminary reports, it appears that the vehicle carrying the two teens was traveling on County Road 29 in the last hours of the year when the driver apparently lost control of his vehicle. The car skidded across the roadway and collided with a tree with enough force to seriously damage the car. It is unclear whether either of the car’s occupants were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. 

The 19-year-old passenger was airlifted to a local hospital with critical injuries, where he later succumbed and was pronounced dead. The driver also suffered injuries in the crash and was taken to a local hospital for treatment, but not before he was charged with drunk driving by state police. They say additional charges are pending a more thorough investigation of the accident. 

A drunk-driving car accident is tragic, partially due to the preventable nature of such crashes. It seems likely the driver will face serious criminal sanctions if he is found guilty, as he will be tried as an adult. In addition, the family of the deceased passenger will have the ability to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver and any other owners of his vehicle. Such a suit will be handled in a New York civil court.

Source: stargazette.com, “Hornell teen dies in New Year’s Eve car crash“, G. Jeoffrey Aaron, Jan. 2, 2015