Teen Driver Could Face Charges in Fatal Crash
Authorities are trying to determine if the 16-year-old driver should be charged after a Chartiers Valley freshman was killed in a single-car crash on June 20.
Investigators are working to determine if charges should be filed against the driver involved in last week’s fatal crash in Collier Township.
A 16-year-old girl was driving with four other juveniles in the car along Scotts Run Road on June 20 when it left the roadway and crashed into a tree.
The crashed killed Chartiers Valley freshman Scott Katonka and injured the other four occupants. Police said all the kids, including the driver, were students in the Chartiers Valley School District.
Allegheny County homicide detectives are investigating, but did not return numerous phone calls seeking information on the crash. Mike Manko, a spokesman for the Allegheny County district attorney’s office, said he could not release any details about the accident.
“If and when any charges would be forthcoming, that would be announced by (Allegheny) County Police,” Manko said in an email to Chartiers Valley Patch.
Still, questions have been raised whether the driver, who has not been identified, was permitted to have as many passengers in the car because of her age.
Under a new state law ratified in December, teen drivers who have had their driver’s license for less than six months are not permitted to transport more than one passenger who is under the age of 18, except for immediate family members. Drivers are not allowed to travel with more than three underage passengers within a year of obtaining their license.
Collier Township police Chief Thomas Devin said he was unsure when the girl obtained her license. He said it will be up to Allegheny County homicide detectives to file charges and, if they do, whether the driver will be charged as a juvenile or adult.
Devin added that his initial observations of the crash indicated the car was being driven recklessly shortly before the crash.
“Speed was probably a factor in the crash,” Devin said.
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Chartiers Valley School District Office
2030 Swallow Hill Rd, Pittsburgh, PA -
Collier Township Police Department
2418 Hilltop Rd, Presto, PA
412lorie
4:27 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
I think they all should be held accountable for their actions. If you rob a bank with a getaway car the driver is also at fault. These young drivers need to be held accountable for their actions and maybe if the word gets out that they will pay a price they will be a little hesitant on doing something so stupid.
Kelaine
11:00 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
Amen! If you are old enough to hold a license, you are old enough to pay any punishment for breaking rules attached to that license. She chose to drive unsafe, with too many in the car. Were there any rules & consequences ever set for her within the household if she were to break them? No matter what it is a sad occurrence for all, but I can't see any reason that she should not be punished. A bigger lesson to be realized by all that think it is so convenenient for these young kids to drive is this: A 15 minute trip around a few cones, knowing how to operate wiper blades & turn signals does not prove you are ready to handle such a deadly weapon as a car. The parents of all need to just bear it for a bit longer & allow their children to gain a little more maturity and 'practice' driving time before they allow their child to drive alone and shouldn't allow their child to carry any other passengers for quite a while as well. They really are not ready, proof shown time and time again.
ella
11:12 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
I definitely feel that sixteen is awfully young to be driving a car. I'm certain that there are places in the country (rural Montana, for example) where driving is much more of a necessity for young people. However, here in Pittsburgh, parents should exercise more caution. Kids can take public transportation, walk, or bike their way into the maturity it requires to handle the responsibility of driving. Besides, at that age there is already so much pressure (high school, college, sports, relationships, drugs/alcohol, etc.) that driving doesn't need to be in that mix.
Regardless, I feel for the girl who may face charges. She's so young and she's already paid dearly for this decision by the loss of her friend. I'd hate to see her have to carry that guilt as well as a legal battle and ensuing fines/punishments. Honestly, her punishment has already begun and this is something that will haunt her for the rest of her life.