Teen Killed In Solo-Vehicle Crash
Car accidents are never happy events. In all crashes, there is some degree of damage involved. Sometimes the vehicle is totaled. The occupants of the vehicles involved may be seriously injured or killed. Sometimes children and teens are involved, making the crash even more devastating.
Sadly, this was recently the case in Gainesville. Four teens were inside a vehicle when the driver lost control. The 17-year-old driver was killed in the crash. The fatal accident occurred on the evening of December 31 on Interstate 75.
Three 17-year-old girls and a 19-year-old man were inside a vehicle traveling north on Interstate 75. The driver lost control near Archer Road, causing the vehicle to veer to the right. It went off the road, hitting a ditch and a tree. The car stopped 10 feet past the tree.
The driver, a 17-year-old girl, was killed in the crash. She died at the accident scene. She was an 11th grader at Forest High School in Ocala. One of the passengers, also a 17-year-old girl and 11th grader at Forest High School, was seriously injured. Her twin sister was also injured.
Both girls are in the intensive care unit at UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville. Each girl has undergone two surgeries, with more possible. One girl has a broken arm, punctured lung, and fractured ribs, while the other girl has broken arms and other injuries.
The man was also critically injured. All involved are from Ocala. Speed was allegedly a factor in the crash.
Why Speeding Causes Crashes
Speeding causes loss of control. Higher speeds make it harder to control the car. A driver could spin out and crash into another vehicle or a stationary object on the side of the road, such as a tree or pole.
If you drive an SUV or van, you also risk a rollover when going too fast. However, any vehicle can roll over when speeding around a curve. The vehicle can tip over in the opposite direction.
Bad weather makes loss of control more likely. It will be more difficult to control your vehicle in bad weather. Going fast makes things even more dangerous because your tires will have more trouble maintaining traction in rain or snow. That’s why you need to give yourself more time to react in bad weather. Plus, there are many negligent drivers who drive in poor weather, making the roadways even more dangerous.
Contact Us Today
Speed is a factor in many fatal crashes. It’s especially deadly for teens with limited driving experience.
A car accident can result in serious injuries and even death. Seek legal help from the Gainesville car accident attorneys at Meldon Law. We’ll use all of our energy and resources to obtain maximum recovery for you. We’re available 24/7. To schedule a consultation, call (800) 373-8000 or fill out the online form. We have four offices to serve you: Gainesville, Ocala, Fort Lauderdale, and Lake City.
Sources:
ocala.com/story/news/local/2023/01/04/more-details-on-fatal-i-75-crash-in-alachua-county-on-new-years-eve/69777956007/
wogx.com/news/teen-killed-3-others-critical-after-crash-on-i-75-in-alachua-county-troopers
