190 replies to this topic

[camay2327]

I found this article in the California Injury Lawyer Blog. I am not posting this as an advertisement but as an article of interest. Read this blurb and then go to the website.
Parents or the person giving the kids the booze could be held responsible for this.



Four Teens Hurt In Suspected DUI Crash in Folsom
July 8, 2010

Posted In: Auto Accidents , Children's Injuries , Drunk Driving Accidents , Passenger Injuries , Personal Injury , Vehicle Rollovers
By Estey & Bomberger on July 8, 2010 4:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In what is a tragic reminder of the consequences of drinking and driving, four teens were injured, three seriously, in a horrific SUV rollover crash in Folsom late Wednesday night. Folsom Police say alcohol and drugs appeared to play a role in the solo vehicle crash. Broken whiskey bottles, marijuana, and other drug paraphernalia were found nearby, the Sacramento Bee reported.

The accident occurred on Heritage Place just before midnight on Wednesday, July 7th. Police say the SUV was speeding north on Heritage when the driver swerved onto a sidewalk and rolled multiple times. The 17-year-old unlicensed driver, the only one of the four occupants wearing a seat belt, suffered only minor injuries. He was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence causing serious injury and booked at the Sacramento Juvenile Hall. The three other teens, two males and one female, suffered very serious injuries. Folsom police are still investigating the cause of the accident.


http://www.californi...uspected-d.html

[MikeinFolsom]

I'm privy to a lot of the goings-on in Folsom. I can honestly speak from personal experience, the "nothings good" happen after midnight. Usually from the 0130-0230 time frame, to be exact. It usually coincides with the bars and clubs closing, but in this case, that doesn't apply since the occupants of the vehicle were teenagers.

Folsom Cops are pretty busy in the evenings and later at night. Doubt they have the ability to stop each and every person that looks underage and out after curfew. Could you imagine the uproar if the Cops stop someone just because they look underage but actually turn out to be 22 and legal? Oh man, I can hear the jailhouse lawyers now!!!

No reason, none at all, that a teenager should be out past midnight. Who knows, maybe they were leaving a friend's house and the accident occurred shortly thereafter? We've all been to house parties or "kickbacks" when we were their age. Hot shot kid pulling away from the party wants to show off, floors the pedal, and loses control. Not too far fetched. Again, parents can only build the foundation. What happens in the upper floors of the building is strictly up to the management on scene.

[supermom]

Jayel- you do have sarcastic sarcasm: awesome

Don't mind me-I just don't want to fall victim to -he said,she said-and end up in a rolling argument=over rumors.

Bumbling...-I do wonder how each of these children are. We all do. But we know that their families have a right to keep the childrens health private. It is their choice to release info.

I am deeply saddened that it sounds like this young lady is hurt as badly as you describe.

Even more shocking that two of the persons involved in the accident are posting on facebook and joking. But then, I thought, ya know-everyone deals with stuff differently.

Thanks for reminding me that they may be in shock. I can only imagine.

It is hard for me-I admit-because these are just babies (yes, that's right-I said babies) for me to fathom the mixed feelings of anger of a dui and injury and the punishment / vindictiveness I feel about dui incidents.

Its no secret, on this forum, how I feel about dui behavior.

But they are babies and this-to me: is the worst thing imaginable for a mom or dad to deal with.


I am and will continue to pray for the family of these kids. As well as the whole host of youths-who are going to be affected by this-as they come back from summer vacation and are made aware of these 4 students actions and subsequent consequences.

Yes, this tragedy is going to affect so very many...for a long time.

So bumbling-I do care. I care with conviction of all too many prior experiences. I wish it didn't make me cry when I hear of babies scarred for life. Emotionally and physically-if not dead.

Do you sense where I'm going with this?

Well < sigh > : at least we aren't hearing about lawsuits. That would clinch the parallels of this sad event to things I saw in my youth.

Along with the vigils. And teddy bears. Crap. This just sucks.

I really do care.

[Steve Heard]

Once again I want to apologize to everyone for making all the wrong decisions that night. I know I don't deserve any pity and I'm not accepting it. I just want to ask, please stop badgering the driver because he is a good person. And stop invading our privacy by attempting to get onto our Facebook pages. The picture was posted not to look cool, but for all our friends who have been very supportive in these trying times.

Pathfinder, I am glad you are allright. I won't berate you about what a stupid mistake you ALL made that night.

You will have consequences.

As for 'invading your privacy' on Facebook, maybe there's another lesson you can learn. FACEBOOK IS NOT PRIVATE! Don't post anything damming or damaging on there and you won't have to worry about it.

[supermom]

Pathfinder, I'm glad you're ok! How are your parents holding up?

Why were there reports of pot in the car? (Ok-maybe not a fair question-don't answer)

Who said not remorseful? But, kiddo, are you gonna stay close to home for the rest of summer?

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

Pathfinder, I'm glad you're okay and I hope your female friend fully recovers.

It frustrates and saddens every generation of parents that so many teens only learn the hard way...if they live to learn it. And then the teens who learned the hard way try to educate their peers to learn from their mistakes; some do, but too many think nothing bad can happen to them. They tell themselves "I'll be fine" "I can handle this" instead of recognizing the reality of the potential dangers and liabilities of their choices. Then it's too late and they can't take it back.

I keep typing and editing out questions I know you can't answer here. But ask yourself if anything could have changed your mind that night about every choice that led up to the accident and to so many of you not wearing your seat belts. If so, perhaps in sharing that with others you can help them make safer choices.

[awood]

I'm sorry-but...

Why do each of you want to lecture him?

Because if a family member of yours was hurt by their actions (and thank god that no one was), you would wish that someone had lectured to them.

[Masque]

With all this being said....I think that we should end ALL of this crap and let it rest. This has been going on for a few days, and it keeps going round and around! We as adults know that the only way for everyone involved to heal is time. How much longer do these posts need to go on? The kids know they did wrong. They have learned their lesson.

Pathfinder, I am glad you and the rest are going to be ok. Mentally you will need to heal. i am glad that you accept that you have done wrong. My daughter knows all of you and was in tears and scared that she or other could have been with you that night. Your families are the only ones to answer to at this time. As far as comments on facebook, if you don't wnat anyone to know anything, then DON'T GO THERE!!!!!!

God Bless

[chris v]

I'm sorry-but...

Why do each of you want to lecture him?

Because he is a child and did a very selfish and childish thing. His parents deserve to be lectured as well. They should be ashamed.

[supermom]

Because if a family member of yours was hurt by their actions (and thank god that no one was), you would wish that someone had lectured to them.

No.

I don't think that is ok.

Like someone I know is fond of saying: that ship sailed.

Choices were made. A choice to drink. A choice to bee bop. A choice to chicken out of your responsibilities and hand your fate over to someone else instead of making a call. That wasn't courage. That wasn't smart. That was passing the buck.

Now-that other kid gets to face the criminal charges while this one will get to finnish highschool.

Sweet.

He should be charged with intentional attempted manslaughter for handing his keys to someone who was drinking.

Or..perhaps, since our courts are so soft...aiding in the delinquency of a minor.

I don't know..I think adults get charged with that and go to to jail for a year.

Wonder if these kids are old enough to be charged as adults for this stupid-senseless act of carnage?

There are no lectures good enough, after the fact. The cops will do their jobs. And I hope to god, the da does his job.

I'm tired of seeing kids get hurt.

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

No, there are no lectures after the fact that can help in this situation. However, the conversation -- including lectures, differing perspectives, tips for talking with our children, etc. -- may serve to help those who read these forums (parents as well as youth) to prevent a similar situation in their own lives.

[camay2327]

When our two kids were in high school and college we had an agreement. We gave them each a $20 bill and that was an emergency $20 bill. If they ever happened to be out and needed a ride they would use that $20 and get a taxi. We also had an agreement that if they did need help they could call us any time Day or Night and we would go and pick them up, or get someone to do it. They never had to use that $20. We were lucky, I guess.

My wife almost go go hit, a couple of days ago, by a person that ran a red light here in Folsom. We are thankful.

Good luck to you all and be careful.

[Bill Z]

How about you flip about 3 times in your car and let's see how quick you are to get up..

Been there done that, twice in my life, first time I wasn't the driver, I was 5 or 6.
Both times, as soon as the vehicle was stopped, I was extracting myself.
I also went down on my bike once at 60 mph and rolled I don't know how many times, but as soon as I stopped, I jumped up to make sure no one on the freeway offramp was about to run me over.

I apologize for my disparaging remarks, I was in an awnry mood that day, but none the less, the rich kid comment was out of line and I also take back the implications your friend (driver) is uncaring.

However, I stand by my statement that the orders to stay in the vehicle was bad advice.
Wrecked vehicles are not safe. there can be leaking fuel that if it comes in contact with something real hot like a catalytic converter, can suddenly combust. Also, battery acid from a busted battery is not something to be taken lightly, or if the starter cable shorts to the body, the car battery can potentially explode.

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

Bill, I understand your logic about fear of gas leaks. However..... there is also a fear of moving someone who has been in an accident because you don't know the extent of the injuries and to move could worsen the injuries (e.g, severing the spinal cord). People shouted at the driver to stay in the car, and this young person complied. I'm not sure there's always a right answer to this.