The latest article about this accident sheds more light on the story. Apparently, these teens were traveling together in several cars, heading to a local Burgar King for a snack after their weekly church youth group meeting at a leader's home. Turns out the group's leader was in the trailing car, and he was the one that initially responded after seeing the car go into the trees.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...102100482.html
Doesn't sound like dangerous driving was involved. However, does sound like probably driver distraction, with others in the car. I drove thru the stretch of road last nite, and no evidence of skid marks, etc. The road veers left, and it appears the car simply drove straight off into the trees.
I agree with everyone that teens need more & better driver training (and maybe some non-teens, too......). But this doesn't look like a case of overdriving. The driver probably turned around to speak to a friend at the wrong second. Driving a car is a serious responsibility. And concentration is a part of it. Reminds me of an incident in our prior neighborhood where a teen driving a mini-pickup with big tires, looked to change a CD, and veered onto an oncoming neighbor in a Honda Accord. The truck drove right up his hood and roof, and flipped over onto its side.
