Horrible Accident Involving Unlicensed Teen Driver Kills Four
Five young men were riding in a brand new Suburu Impreza. The driver, 17-year old Joseph Beer, had received the car as a gift from his parents for graduating high school early and enrolling at St. John’s University. Before the end of the night, all but Beer would be dead, after the car failed to negotiate a dangerous curve, leaving the road and hitting a tree.
According to the NY Daily News, the four passengers, all 18-years old, were thrown from the vehicle. The only survivor was 17-year old Beer.
“Unfortuantely, it has its own nickname of ‘dead man’s curve’ because it comes up so quickly and it’s such a sharp turn,” said Lakeview Fire Department Chief Heather Senti. It was this curve that Beer couldn’t handle, and which sent the car off the road. The car was split in half by the tree.
Three of the young men killed were popular graduates from Richmond High School on Long Island. Classmates, family members, and friends gathered at the accident scene to mourn and struggle with feelings of disbelief. Twenty members of the Khan family arrived to identify the body of Chris Khan, one of the victims.
The sad day was made even more difficult to deal with because of the fact that Beer didn’t have a license to drive. He had a learner’s permit. And in the state of New York, a learner’s permit only permits you to drive when there is a licensed driver over the age of 21 in the vehicle with you. In other words, Beer shouldn’t have been driving.
Beer was taken to Long Island hospital for treatment of unknown injuries. Immediately following the accident, witnesses said they saw someone walking around the wreckage using his cell phone as a flashlight—though they aren’t sure if it was Beer or not.
Anytime a car accident results in death, it’s tragic. When those killed are young people, it’s particularly devastating. But, when the accident was preventable, it can add insult to injury.
There’s a chance that Beer could face criminal charges. But there’s also a chance that families of the accident victims will pursue civil action against him.
When you are hurt in an accident or if someone you love is killed in an accident that isn’t their fault, the civil courts offer up a method of justice. You could be entitled to compensation for your injuries or loss.
The New York accident attorneys of Omranin & Taub have handled cases like this before and are willing to go to bat for people who are the innocent victims of horrendous accidents. Contact our offices today for a free consultation by calling 212-529-7848.
