Cause of Death: Automobile Accident (Street Racing)
Age: 18
Location: Laguna Hills, CARelated Article(s): No winners in deadly street race
All they wanted to do was impress some girls.
Right after work on Monday afternoon, Mohsen Modjtahedi, 20, and his friend Arya Asgarynejad, 20, got ready for a night out with friends in south Orange County. Asgarynejad borrowed his father's Mercedes that morning so the two would have a nice car to pick up Tara Moghadam, 17, who had started dating Modjtahedi.
They picked her up and met up with another girl, Kara Jafarinia, 18. From there, it was In-N-Out Burger for some food and a tragic decision.
Ghassemian and his BMW M3An impromptu street race ensued around 8:30 p.m. Monday, leaving Parees Ghassemian, 18, of Laguna Niguel dead and Asgarynejad, 20, of Irvine arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and operating a vehicle with gross negligence causing death.The two girls who joined them are both at Mission Hospital.
Modjtahedi suffered no injuries.Just days ago, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law stronger enforcement against street racers. It requires a driver convicted of engaging in a motor vehicle speed contest that causes injuries be punished by time in jail or a fine up to $1,000.
"Law enforcement's frustration with racing on the public roadway is not only that these youths don't recognize the harm to themselves, but also that they fail to recognize the danger they pose to the rest of the motoring and pedestrian public," said Capt. Jack Anderson, the sheriff's commander of South County Operations. "They don't look at the consequences of behavior."
Modjtahedi said no one in the group had been drinking or using drugs. He said the challenge arose when Asgarynejad and Ghassemian started talking about racing.The group decided to go for it. Ghassemian and the two girls got into his prized possession – a 2004 BMW M3. Modjtahedi and Asgarynejad got into the Mercedes CLK 55.
They roared down La Paz Road between 80 and 90 mph east toward Paseo de Valencia. Modjtahedi became frightened."I was trying to tell him not to race," he said. "I told him, 'It doesn't matter who wins.' "But it was too late."I heard the tires screech," he said. "I checked the side mirror, and I saw the car flying and hit the water hydrant and then the wall."He called 911. Asgarynejad made a U-turn.When they got to the car, it was lying upside-down in the middle of La Paz."I tried to talk to (Ghassemian), but he was dead," said Modjtahedi of the youth he had just met that night.
"All I heard was Tara screaming for help."On Tuesday, close friends and family came to pay their last respects. More than 30 teens went to Mission Hospital to hold a vigil for the two girls in the morning. In the afternoon, they arrived at the crash scene and remembered Ghassemian."He was always happy and always there for everyone," said Heidi Radmanesh, 17, of Laguna Niguel. "He kept everyone's secrets and was everyone's friend."Flowers and balloons were placed at the site.Rooshi Yaghobi, 25, wore a necklace with the Farohvahar – the Persian symbol of monarchy. It was found at the crash site – and belonged to Ghassemian."How do you find this and nothing else?" she asked through tears. "I hope it will make all these boys stop using the cars as toys. Your life isn't replaceable.
ARYA ASGARYNEJADAge: 20Residence: IrvineRole: Driver of the Mercedes-Benz. Asgarynejad is in custody on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and operating a vehicle with gross negligence causing death.Background: Student. Works at Target in Irvine
MOHSEN MODJTAHEDIAge: 20Residence: IrvineRole: Rode with Asgarynejad. Not arrested.Background: Student at Orange Coast College and editor at Salaam, Persian television station in Santa Ana.PAREES GHASSEMIANAge: 18Residence: Laguna NiguelRole: Driver of the BMW. Was killed when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed.Background: Senior at Capistrano Valley High School. Worked at his family's pizza parlor.
KARA JAFARINIAAge: 18Residence: Laguna HillsRole: Was a passenger in Ghassemian's BMW, sat in the front passenger seat. She suffered a broken arm and fractured pelvis. Mission Hospital officials list her in fair condition.Background: Student at Irvine Valley College.
TARA MOGHADAMAge: 17Residence: Ladera RanchRole: Was a passenger in Ghassemian's BMW. She sat in the back seat. CHOC at Mission Hospital listed her in critical condition Tuesday.Background: She is working on her GED and getting her real estate license.
Saturday, December 9, 2006
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Three teenagers killed in horrific V8 car crash
MOURNERS have laid flowers at the scene of an horrific car crash that killed three teenagers and critically injured another on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
The driver of a V8 Holden Statesman Travis Guerin, 18, from Maroochydore, and passengers Joel Doyle, 19, from Maroochydore and Nakita Deacon, 15, from Chevallum, died when the vehicle ploughed into a tree on the median strip of Karawatha Drive at Mountain Creek.
Another 15-year-old girl, from Buderim, has been airlifted by helicopter to the Royal Brisbane Hospital.
Speed is believed to have been a factor in the crash which occurred about 1.40am (AEST) today and was heard from a kilometre away.
Inspector Annie MacDonald from Maroochydore police said the vehicle was demolished, with two tow-trucks needed to haul the wreck away.
"It's horrific, the car was basically cut in half, it was a tragic, tragic waste of life," said Insp MacDonald.
Karawatha Drive is a normal suburban street, she said.
The young driver was most likely on his provisional "P Plate" licence and was driving a powerful eight-cylinder vehicle, Insp MacDonald said.
Based on early investigations, police suspect speed caused the crash.
"This is a tragic, tragic accident that has seen three young people die," she said.
"I'm at a loss, I don't know what more the police, media, the RACQ, or any other agency can do to make people understand to slow down.
"Parents should sit their children down tonight and make them look at this car and realise the consequences of what will happen if they drive and speed and don't take care on the roads."
The accident occurred near the Mountain Creek High School, but the victims were not involved in schoolies celebrations, Insp MacDonald said.
The girls were both students, but it is not believed they went to the same school.
Insp MacDonald said that in her 26 years in the police force she had never seen an accident like this.
"It's just so senseless, it's imprinted on all of us forever."
She consoled two young girls at the scene this morning, while a large group gathered to mourn the victims.
The tragedy occurred just four weeks after a single vehicle crash killed four teenage boys from Lismore.
Aged between 16 and 17, they died near Byron Bay on October 22 when the vehicle went out of control.
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,,20783908-5005941,00.html
The driver of a V8 Holden Statesman Travis Guerin, 18, from Maroochydore, and passengers Joel Doyle, 19, from Maroochydore and Nakita Deacon, 15, from Chevallum, died when the vehicle ploughed into a tree on the median strip of Karawatha Drive at Mountain Creek.
Another 15-year-old girl, from Buderim, has been airlifted by helicopter to the Royal Brisbane Hospital.
Speed is believed to have been a factor in the crash which occurred about 1.40am (AEST) today and was heard from a kilometre away.
Inspector Annie MacDonald from Maroochydore police said the vehicle was demolished, with two tow-trucks needed to haul the wreck away.
"It's horrific, the car was basically cut in half, it was a tragic, tragic waste of life," said Insp MacDonald.
Karawatha Drive is a normal suburban street, she said.
The young driver was most likely on his provisional "P Plate" licence and was driving a powerful eight-cylinder vehicle, Insp MacDonald said.
Based on early investigations, police suspect speed caused the crash.
"This is a tragic, tragic accident that has seen three young people die," she said.
"I'm at a loss, I don't know what more the police, media, the RACQ, or any other agency can do to make people understand to slow down.
"Parents should sit their children down tonight and make them look at this car and realise the consequences of what will happen if they drive and speed and don't take care on the roads."
The accident occurred near the Mountain Creek High School, but the victims were not involved in schoolies celebrations, Insp MacDonald said.
The girls were both students, but it is not believed they went to the same school.
Insp MacDonald said that in her 26 years in the police force she had never seen an accident like this.
"It's just so senseless, it's imprinted on all of us forever."
She consoled two young girls at the scene this morning, while a large group gathered to mourn the victims.
The tragedy occurred just four weeks after a single vehicle crash killed four teenage boys from Lismore.
Aged between 16 and 17, they died near Byron Bay on October 22 when the vehicle went out of control.
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,,20783908-5005941,00.html
Teen Killed in Crash Remembered
Reported By: Duffie Dixon
Web Editor: Michael King
Last Modified: 11/14/2006 8:41:01 AM
Funeral preparations are underway for a Gwinnett teenager killed in a car accident on Friday. Justin Curtas was taking his younger siblings and friends home when he crashed head on into a tree. "You can't believe he’s gone," said the victim's brother, Matthew Curtas.
Justin was driving his brother and sister Meghan, and their three friends home from a party. They admit he was in a rush to get the kids home on time. He lost control on a curve, slid out of control and died in the wreck. Justin had a lot of responsibility for his age. Their mother is behind bars, serving time for a drug conviction."He was the man in his mother's life. He was the man in those kids' life," said the victim's cousin, Kristen Mauro.
Friends are still showing up at the crash site, leaving stuffed animals and notes. His siblings are constantly surrounded by friends. They say it was a testament to who Justin was. Funeral services are also in the works for another teen killed in a separate car crash over the weekend. Jessica James of Marietta died on Sunday when she lost control of her car, going around a curve off Trickum Road.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers. Most of these deaths could have been prevented. Our hope is to get the word out, and hopefully prevent any more tragedies.
Statistics-
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers.
16 year-olds have higher crash rates than drivers of any other age.
It is estimated that 16-year-olds are 3 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle crash than the average of all drivers.
3,657 drivers age 15-20 died in car crashes in 2003, making up 14% of all driver involved in fatal crashes, and 18% of all drivers involved in police-reported crashes (NHTSA).
25% of teen drivers killed in 2003 had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or greater. A BAC of .08 is the level which all states define drunk driving.
$40.8 billion was the estimated economic impact of auto accidents involving 15-20 year old drivers in 2002 (NHTSA).
Inexperience behind the wheel is the leading cause of teenage crashes.
In 2001, two thirds of teens killed in auto accidents were not wearing seat belts.
Almost half of the crash deaths involving 16-year-old drivers in 2003 occurred when the
beginning drivers were driving with teen passengers (IIHS).
Statistics show that 16 and 17-year-old driver death rates increase with each additional passenger (IIHS).
Please be respectful in your comments or we will turn off the comment feature. We will NOT stand for any negative comments torwards people listed on this site.
www.yourteensdriving.com
Statistics-
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers.
16 year-olds have higher crash rates than drivers of any other age.
It is estimated that 16-year-olds are 3 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle crash than the average of all drivers.
3,657 drivers age 15-20 died in car crashes in 2003, making up 14% of all driver involved in fatal crashes, and 18% of all drivers involved in police-reported crashes (NHTSA).
25% of teen drivers killed in 2003 had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or greater. A BAC of .08 is the level which all states define drunk driving.
$40.8 billion was the estimated economic impact of auto accidents involving 15-20 year old drivers in 2002 (NHTSA).
Inexperience behind the wheel is the leading cause of teenage crashes.
In 2001, two thirds of teens killed in auto accidents were not wearing seat belts.
Almost half of the crash deaths involving 16-year-old drivers in 2003 occurred when the
beginning drivers were driving with teen passengers (IIHS).
Statistics show that 16 and 17-year-old driver death rates increase with each additional passenger (IIHS).
Please be respectful in your comments or we will turn off the comment feature. We will NOT stand for any negative comments torwards people listed on this site.
www.yourteensdriving.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)