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

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.

http://www.11alive.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=87590

Michael Grele (15) was killed when the vehicle he was in struck a utility pole

News story: http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/local_story_311074436.html

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).


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