Last week, an accident occured in Stone Mountain that serves to remind us how important it is to drive safely and responsibly, and to not take our lives or the lives of others lightly.
Two young men were driving recklessly and ended up killing a fourteen year old girl when their car jumped the curb and hit her on the sidewalk. Two other students were also injured in this pedestrian accident. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Saheed Saunders and Tomcum Siripanhya, both 17, were released Wednesday from the DeKalb County jail on $21,000 and $20,000 bond, respectively.
Both teens were accused of racing, reckless driving, and vehicular homicide in the wreck that killed 14-year-old Tanesha Williams.
According to the law, the teenagers who were in the car should be guilty of "wanton and willful misconduct". The specific definition of "wanton and willful misconduct" varies from state to state, but it essentially means that the guilty party willingly disregarded the safety of others in order to pursue a course of action that he or she knew to be reckless or dangerous.
If these teenagers are found to have acted with "wanton and willful misconduct", then the individuals who were injured should be able to receive punitive damages from the two rekless drivers who were in the car. I certainly hope that the courts bring these two teenagers to justice, and teaches them that you cannot behave recklessly without suffering the consequences.
We wish all the best to those individuals and their families affeted by these guy’s careless actions.
A partner with Childers, Schlueter & Smith, LLC,, Brandon Smith has devoted his practice to pharmaceutical litigation, mass torts, products liability and serious personal injury. A frequent guest speaker at legal seminars all over the country—Brandon is focused on helping injured victims nationwide, however possible. Named a SuperLawyer again in 2019, he has also been called out as one of 10 Best Attorneys For Georgia by the American Institute Of Personal Injury Attorneys and a Top 100 Lawyer in Georgia by the National Trial Lawyers in 2019.
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Facebook User
I think that "teens" today have zero regards for anyone else, nothing matters to them nor scare them. Although, it isn't ALL teenagers driving reckless something needs to be done. I don't think teens should be allowed to get their license until their 18 years old and out of high school. We as parents say oh my child drives great with me yes! with you but with other teenagers the story changes, (e.g.) my step-son is 11 and just informed us that our 19 year old had picked him up from school one day and was doing 80 no where in Michigan is the an 80 mph speed zone especially on a residential street. This happened when my 19 year old step-son was 17. This isn't driving, (speed) isn't driving and the more inexperienced and younger the driver the more deadly. What if my step-son had lost controlled they both plus others could have been injured or warse, so parents before you say "my child drives well with me" remember there will be times when that equation will not include you. I feel so sorry for people that are hurt or killed because of these reckless teenagers who use cars as toys. A few years in jail, revoking of their license, or probation will never uninjure anyone or bring someone back that they kill. My best friend was killed by a teen driver speeding doing 70 in a 25, where is he now living his life where is she long gone a beautiful life taken at 23.
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