This has all the classic elements.
- On Halloween night, a 17-year-old boy is out driving in an SUV with another 15-year-old boy and three 14-year-old girls.
- 17 stops the SUV to let 15 get up on the roof and “car surf.”
- 17 decides that looks like fun, slows down the car, asks a 14 in the passenger seat to steer, while he climbs up on the roof of the car, too.
- 14 has problem steering, climbs over to the driver’s side, tries to hit the brake, and instead hits the gas.
- Vehicle speeds to 50-60 mph, and 14, trying to control it, instead rolls it.
- 15 and 17 are thrown from the vehicle.
- 15 dies three days later.
- 17 and the 14s suffer minor injury.
The 17 is being charged with manslaughter, and tried as an adult. That may seem harsh, but the kid also pled no contest last February to one count of “fleeing or attempting to elude police.” He was placed on four months of probation and ordered to complete a defensive driving course. Give the situation, the past record, and the fact that juvie court coverage ends when the kid hits 19, the DA thought an adult trial made sense.
My only regret is that 17’s parents aren’t up on trial, too (though its altogether likely, I suspect, they’ll face a civil suit). Were 17 my kid, I can assure you that (a) his grounding would last a lot longer than his legal probation, and (b) he would not have solo access to an SUV, and (c) he would not be out unsupervised on Halloween.
Similar thoughts cross my mind about the parents of the 15 and the 14s.
I suspect I’m going to be a well-hated parent by Katherine.
(via Les)
Evolution in action. They’re unfit to survive in an environment where they have access to automobiles.
I am in a support group for parents who have lost children. The majority case is parents of teenages (and young adults) who have died in auto accidents. Most of them were not the case of overt stupidity like above. Nevertheless, they are still at extreme risk because of the ignorance of youth. See this for a positive way to deal with the issue.
Do you have that little of a life to go and talk badly about people you don’t know? It sickens me that people have found out about this accident.. god knows how.. and even have said rude things about Chris. We all lost a very good friend that night. So, think before you write these kinds of things.. about the other people involved.
And you know what..? I hope the law cracks down on Erroll as well.
You have no heart. You seem to think that.. oh look the stupid kid died.
How about you go to http://www.ripchristrowbridge.cjb.net. Find out who he really was. Then see if you still feel the same way.
Do you have that little of a life to go and talk badly about people you don’t know?
In point of fact, it’s something that most folk do. You do have a point that it’s worth remembering that every name that shows up in the news has a family and friends.
That said, I didn’t actually use any names, and on purpose.
It sickens me that people have found out about this accident.. god knows how.. and even have said rude things about Chris.
Probably via the news article I linked to.
On other hand, how did you find this post?
We all lost a very good friend that night. So, think before you write these kinds of things.. about the other people involved.
One reason I didn’t refer to anyone by name.
That said, I don’t think I mischaracterized anything. It’s straight from the news story (and echoed on the tribute page you link to).
And you know what..? I hope the law cracks down on Erroll as well.
As, I indicate, do I.
You have no heart. You seem to think that.. oh look the stupid kid died.
Point taken. Though I don’t think I said anything all that harsh per se — and noting the inherent foolishness of the behavior around the accident might serve to warn others as well.
How about you go to http://www.ripchristrowbridge.cjb.net. Find out who he really was. Then see if you still feel the same way.
It is certainly more difficult to take a light and mocking tone when the individual concerned has a human face and connection to other humans. That said, it was a stupid stunt on his part (and his friends), and I suspect he’d be the first person to agree with me.