Aug. 24, 2008 — An early morning car accident on St. Croix left one 16-year-old dead and a 17-year-old in critical condition at Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital. A third victim in the crash was released from the hospital after being treated for his injuries.
The accident occurred around 4 a.m. Sunday along the Melvin Evans Highway in the vicinity of Clifton Hill. The 16-year-old minor, whose name was not released by police, was driving a 1992 Geo Prism, which veered out of control and flipped over, killing the driver and injuring the passengers. Emergency medical technicians, St. Croix Rescue volunteers and police responded to the scene, according to a V.I. Police Department statement.
The 18-year-old passenger had lacerations to his right hand, the right side of his neck, his right hip and shoulder. The 17-year-old passenger suffered trauma to his head and chest, and is expected to be transported off-island for further treatment.
An investigation by police seeks to determine whether the driver was speeding or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
It is illegal for minors under the age of 17 to be on public streets after 10 p.m., unless accompanied by a "responsible" adult, Police Commissioner James H. McCall said in the statement.
"These types of tragic situations may be avoided if more parents took this provision seriously," he said.
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