Since Friday two teenagers have died in car crashes on Bainbridge Island. One young woman died yesterday. From The Bremerton Sun:
A 16-year-old girl died early Monday morning when a 14-year-old driver crashed a Ford Explorer on Tolo Road, according to Bainbridge police.
The 14-year-old was inexperienced and driving fast before the SUV hit a tree at 1:45 a.m., according to Bainbridge police.
Altogether, eight teenagers were in the car. Police will not release their names because they are minors.
Although I overheard people at the grocery store this morning discussing the crash, I only caught bits of the conversation. I thought perhaps they were talking about one that happened Friday.
Then through my homeschooling group today I heard about Monday’s accident and looked for more information on the Sun’s site. I had read about the first one in Saturday’s Bainbridge Review. I didn’t think the Review would have an article on its site yet, since it is published only twice a week, and not until Wednesday, but I went to find another piece and saw this one (excerpt).
The vehicle spun and overturned, sliding nearly 300 feet before crashing into a wooded area on the north side of the road.
The driver, a 14-year-old Bainbrdge girl, had no license or learner’s permit, and was driving the vehicle without the owner’s permission, Bainbridge Police Traffic Officer Rob Corn said. She faces possible charges of one count of vehicular homicide and four counts of vehicular assault, he said, with the case sent to the prosecutor’s office for review.
“She was going faster than I would ever imagine going on Tolo, and just lost it,” Corn said.
Police have yet to determine whether alcohol or drugs played a part in the crash. None of the seven passengers in the vehicle were licensed to drive either, police said.
It was the second traffic fatality in three days involving a Bainbridge teen. Rebecca M. Phillips, age 19, was killed early Friday when her vehicle left the roadway and slammed into a tree off North Madison Avenue. Authorities say alcohol was a factor in that crash.
Chip Gibbons has other links in his post.
Registration started at the high school this week. What a way to begin the year…My prayers and sympathies to all the grieving families and youth.
