On December 5, The Kansas City Star reported that a 14-year-old boy had been charged with involuntary manslaughter involving a vehicle. According to the charges, the teenage boy crashed a car he had recently stolen in Kansas City, Kansas. The crash killed a 14-year-old girl and injured another teenage girl. The October 7th incident also warranted juvenile charges against the boy.
The teenage boy is not only facing involuntary manslaughter charges and juvenile charges in Wyandotte County, but was also charged with felony theft for stealing the vehicle. The boy is currently in custody and awaiting his next court appearance which is set for the beginning of January. It remains yet to be seen if the boy will be charged as a juvenile or as an adult.
These types of collisions are incredibly tragic, even more so in light of the fact that they are completely avoidable. According to the Missouri Department of Safety (DPS), 2.5 percent of all drivers involved in Missouri traffic collisions are unlicensed. In 2011, unlicensed drivers accounted for 100 fatal accidents and over 2,000 personal injury accidents.
5.7 percent of drivers involved in Missouri speed-related collisions were unlicensed, accounting for 44 fatal accidents and 570 personal injury accidents. Novice or young drivers are statistically more likely to cause traffic accidents than any other age group even if they possess a Missouri driver’s license. When an unlicensed driver gets behind the wheel, the consequences can be deadly.
If you were involved in a car crash involving a young, inexperienced or even an unlicensed driver, please do not hesitate to contact a Kansas City car accident attorney at Wendt Law Firm P.C by calling or submitted a form online. Our firm aggressively pursues the rights of accident victims and their families. Call today for your free case evaluation.