A 17-year-old Georgia girl has been indicted on vehicular manslaughter charges by a Clayton County grand jury for her role in a car crash that killed her best friend. The accident occurred while the girls were participating in senior skip day on March 27.
According to the Georgia State Patrol, the defendant, a Jonesboro resident, was driving her Mini Cooper northbound on I-75 at a “high rate of speed” when she attempted to turn onto the exit ramp for Jonesboro Road. She missed the turn, causing the car to go airborne, roll over multiple times and strike a tree with enough force to uproot it.
Emergency crews had to cut the defendant from the wreckage. She suffered serious injuries and was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment. Her 18-year-old passenger was killed in the collision. As a result of the crash, authorities have erected large signs that warn drivers to slow down as they make the sharp turn onto the Jonesboro Road exit.
Speeding contributes to thousands of serious U.S. car wrecks every year. Drivers who travel at a high rate of speed are more likely to lose control of their vehicle and more likely to cause severe injuries in the event of a collision. Individuals who are injured as the result of a speeding driver have the right to pursue compensation through the legal system. For example, by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver, a victim may be awarded a settlement for damages, including medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. Injured victims could learn more about their legal options by contacting an attorney who handles car accident claims.
Source: AJC, “Teen indicted in senior skip day wreck that killed best friend,” Raisa Habersham, Aug. 8, 2018