High School Student Killed in Crash
High school is supposed to be a time of fun and excitement. However, for students at New Jersey school Hackettstown High School, it’s been a time of tragedy. They are grieving the loss of a beloved student who was recently killed in a crash.
The 17-year-old girl was killed after colliding with a utility pole on the morning of October 7 on Flocktown Road in Washington Township. She died at the accident scene.
The high school had counselors on site in the days after the crash to help students and staff deal with their grief. The school district is heartbroken over the student’s death and offers its heartfelt condolences to the student’s family.
The senior had a twin brother. She was known as a hard worker who loved her friends and family. A GoFundMe was created for her family to help with final expenses.
It is unknown why the accident occurred. An investigation into the crash is underway.
Crashes Among Teen Drivers
Among all age groups, the risk of motor vehicle crashes is highest among teens ages 16–19. Teen drivers in this age group have a fatal crash rate that is almost three times as high as drivers ages 20 and older.
There are several risk factors that make car accidents even more likely to occur, such as:
- The motor vehicle crash death rate for male drivers ages 16–19 years old was three times as high as the death rate for female drivers in the same age group in 2020.
- Teens driving with passengers. The presence of passengers, especially younger ones such as teens and young adults, increases the crash risk of teen drivers. Each additional passenger increases the risk.
- Newly licensed teens. New drivers have an especially high crash risk during the first few months. The crash rate per mile driven is about 1.5 times as high for 16-year-old drivers as it is for drivers who are 18–19 years old.
Inexperience is a major issue. Teen drivers are not skilled in all driving situations. Driving in heavy traffic or late at night can be especially dangerous situations. Also, many teens like to take risks. This often means not wearing a seatbelt. Statistics show that more than 40% of teen drivers do not always wear seatbelts. However, seatbelts save lives, so when teens don’t wear one, they are much more likely to suffer serious injuries or get killed in a car accident.
Contact a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Car accidents are common among teenagers and it’s always sad when a young life ends due to such a tragedy.
If you have been injured in a crash, get the help you need from a Morristown car accidents attorney from The Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff. This can be a stressful time. We will help you understand the next steps so you can get the best outcome possible. Schedule a free consultation today by calling (973) 455-1567 or filling out the online form.
Source:
nj.com/news/2023/10/nj-girl-17-killed-in-1-vehicle-accident.html
