190 replies to this topic

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

Thank you.

Someone has to say that driving without a license, illegal drugs, and underage drinking are wrong. Too bad we all had to wait for a 17 year old to set us straight. Who here said this behavior was acceptable?

I am tired of the "look what I did in school" mentality. Just means you were lucky.

[Redone]

about every 4th response has a "kids will be kids" sentiment.

[tsukiji]

My boyfriend lives in the house adjacent to the lot, and I was parked in front of the lot an hour before the crash. I shudder when I think about what might have happened if I didn't leave as early as I did, if we had stood outside talking an hour later, or if the car crashed into his house while he was downstairs.

It is tragic that these teens suffered as they did, it's tragic to anyone who suffers like this. But the problem is, I shouldn't have to shudder about those thoughts because this should never have happened. I'd say the culprit is partly parents, partly peer pressure, mostly idiotic thinking.

I'm 17 years old and I have never drank anything more than a few sips at the dinner table, I've never touched drugs. I do not because of my faith, but also because I know the crushing disappointment I'd feel from my parents and friends. That's worth more to me than some random kid's opinion of me. But I do know my fair share of peer pressure, and it's powerful. But there comes a point where you either know not to drive under the influence, or you don't. These kids have definitely sat through Don't Do Drugs/Don't Drink and Drive seminars through school or someplace else, but they chose not to listen, they chose to disobey their parents who have probably told them not to all their lives. They chose to get in the car, they chose to drive without a license, they chose to inebriate themselves beyond control. This incidence should never be referred to as an accident. Accidents aren't chosen.

This is off topic but are you really 17? Or an adult posing as a 17 yo?

If you are 17, I just want to say I"m very impressed with your writing and communication skills. Articulate, well crafted sentences with proper grammar, spelling, punctuation. You write better than most adults I know and are able to communicate your points clearly.

Well said and well done.

[mynddok]

Hmm, Hillcrest?!

I guess the rich kids aren't always perfect angels.

I find it disturbing that the driver was found still strapped in and clinging to his steering wheel. How long do you think it took for the police to respond? Any good reason why the driver wouldn't have gotten out of his vehicle to check on his friends? Probably in shock and too scared to go see what he might find. If I was one of the ejected teens, I know I would have second thoughts about the driver being my friend in the future.

Not that you will care, I just lost a ton of respect for you. That is a BS comment.

[kellismom]

I hope the driver and passengers will be OK and learn from this. I too went to a HS where some friends were lost to reckless driving. Most of the accidents involved alcohol and no seat belts (no law was in effect at that time).

When I was 16 and taking the mandatory Drivers Ed and behind the wheel courses, I hated it. At 16 I did not want to have the responsibility of learning/knowing how to drive. I was scared, but my dad taught me how to drive and park in his big truck--now I can park almost any vehicle in any space (thank you very much! lol).

Even though I have been lucky enough not to be in an accident, I am still fearful of the other drivers out there--whether I'm driving or not. I hope the age for obtaining a driver's license is changed to 18 when our seven y.o's are ready. I know it's only two years, but maybe the hormones and some of the teenage stupidity will calm down by then so they can make rational decisions and be more responsible behind the wheel than a 16 y.o.

[Jayel]

This is off topic but are you really 17? Or an adult posing as a 17 yo?

If you are 17, I just want to say I"m very impressed with your writing and communication skills. Articulate, well crafted sentences with proper grammar, spelling, punctuation. You write better than most adults I know and are able to communicate your points clearly.

Well said and well done.

Hahah, I'm about to turn 18 in a month, but yes I'm 17. Thank you, it's appreciated. I'm just used to typing like this.

[flattire]

I hope these babies are gonna be ok.

But lemme say this: the sniping about parenting is absolutely terrible. I had terrible parenting as a young kid and never caused harm. I had awesome parenting at 17 years old-and never caused harm.

Two other posters said it right. No matter what you do-you just can't stop free will.

Ultimately the decision comes down to choices.

And comparing parenting of a toddler to a high school student seems really naive. At best, no one on this board coulda-shoulda-woulda--influenced these kids lives nor were in a place to do so when that ultimate choice of turning the ignition over-had come into play, for those four, so very precious lives.

Please respect the four familes need for support, right now. As adults, all of us can already tell- the investigation is prolly gonna be awhile, and those kids need to heal.

I don't know if I know any of the kids involved - but I hope that A) no one dies or is permanently hurt, B) any adult who was responsible for supplying the drugs and alcohol are punished as severely as ca laws can do.

Damn it.

It is almost entirely likely that no one "supplied" the drugs or alcohol. The kids probably bought the drugs off one of their buddies. It's not that hard to find in Folsom. As for the alcohol, I seriously doubt anyone gave it to them. It was probably matter of obtaining simply from a house. The driver was driving without a license, without permission. They probably waited until the parents were asleep or out to just take the alcohol from the home stash most parent's anywhere keep.

[awood]

Wow that isn't good. Drinking and driving DO NOT MIX! One of the comments had a good suggestion with using any photos taken of the crash (not an accident) and present the first day of school.

Probably not very effective as the driver has already pasted the photos on his facebook page.

[Lisa in Folsom]

Does anyone know the status of the kids involved? First reports say they were in serious condition, but then people keep saying "fighting for their lives" which is significantly different.

[l479]

When I think of children I think 8, 9, 10...they are 16 and 17 years old...Yes they are still minors but these might be the same teens that cook your burgers and watch your children...These teens are near adulthood and should be acting as such. Their parents need to really start buckling down...18 is around the corner...if they make it!!!!!

Teenagers are children. They have poor judgement. They think they are invincible. They are like big toddlers. And for the record, I had enough teen babysitters in my life to know that it was not safe to leave my children with them.

[Jayel]

Does anyone know the status of the kids involved? First reports say they were in serious condition, but then people keep saying "fighting for their lives" which is significantly different.

My boyfriend was on the scene and said none of the injuries were life-threatening. The girl had neck wounds but he didn't say how serious, but they aren't fighting for their lives.

Teenagers are children. They have poor judgement. They think they are invincible. They are like big toddlers. And for the record, I had enough teen babysitters in my life to know that it was not safe to leave my children with them.

Teens aren't as worldly and wise as their adult counterparts, but as a teen, I feel some resentment toward you scooping us all up and dumping us in one stinking pile. I know I'm not invincible, my judgment has been good enough for me to stay out of trouble, and I've babysat responsibly. We're not all just children who exist to make bad decisions. I'm sorry if you've had bad experience with us. We've had bad experience with people like you too.

[doj_gal]

Teens aren't as worldly and wise as their adult counterparts, but as a teen, I feel some resentment toward you scooping us all up and dumping us in one stinking pile. I know I'm not invincible, my judgment has been good enough for me to stay out of trouble, and I've babysat responsibly. We're not all just children who exist to make bad decisions. I'm sorry if you've had bad experience with us. We've had bad experience with people like you too.

Great post! For some reason, people whom are 35-55 think that they know everything. Most of the regular posters on this website, are in that age bracket. While I appreciate their wisdom, I am not the first to lump all teenagers into one catagory.

I was responsible teenager, as I am a responsible adult. I have made poor decisions, as have most. I just see this beyond the realm of poor decision making.

You seem wise beyong your years and thankfully you have given your generation a voice. Not all teens are immature and reckless, as many may think. Some have those tendancies and without proper guidance and boundaries, will act on those! Unfortunately, those are the ones whom give the teenagers stage the bad wrap!

[supermom]

Oh, crap.

One doesn't tend to dance.

And wrath is contagious.

But how does one wrap a rapper?

Cut the crap. You don't want to pedantically verbalize against someone whom may have a more mature and experienced view on life. Personally-I would prefer to not be called nor liked to wise. Its an awful lot like calling me old.

So instead, I would prefer if you just call me smarter than the average bear.

Now, the average bear has approximately 6 to 8 alchol incidents while in highschool. Amusingly, many might that include first timers, through senior grad night.

Well, for the honest truth-I tasted a sip of wine once-in high school and a hot toddy once.

Soooo-that means I am nowhere near the average curve of risk takers of highschool pubescent behavior.

Don't I sound great?

Do we really need to make this about us?

How about this?

The adult who left the alcohol available is just as morally liable as the adult who would sell it it.

Or the adult who sells the marijuana to the kid who gives the marijuana to their younger sibling/friend/or hey: hiding their dealer activities.

Whatever.

Hope they all fry.

[eVader]

doj there is a reason for the phrase "if I only could know now what I thought I knew when I was 18, I would be a genius".

Even my 13 yr old thinks he know everything but he learns something new every day from us who I want to believe have a few years of wisdom and experience. Hey there are still times that even though I am in the 35-55 bracket I still get my father's advice just like I would possibly seek your advice especially from a younger or military perspective.

[JoAnne Reinking]

Probably not very effective as the driver has already pasted the photos on his facebook page.

Am I the only one bothered by this "facebook" posting? Not limited to this incident, kids are out there posting about their reckless behavior.