Double Fatal Drunk Driving Accident that Killed Teens Combined Deadly Factors
Posted on:7/3/2009
Written By: Chris Robideaux
| In a case that combines all the fatal factors common in teen driving fatalities, the California Highway Patrol is investigating a double fatal accident that claimed the lives of two teenagers and injured two more Saturday night near Fresno. |
In a case that combines all the fatal factors common in teen driving fatalities, the California Highway Patrol is investigating a double fatal accident that claimed the lives of two teenagers and injured two more Saturday night near Fresno. Investigators said three factors -- speed, alcohol and inexperience, combined to create a deadly situation.
Shortly before midnight Saturday an SUV with five teens inside veered out of control on a narrow country road near Kerman (15 miles west of Fresno), killing Melina Sandoval,19, of Madera and Thomas Nazaroff,14, of Kerman.
The CHP said the car was speeding down Mckinley Avenue near Sycamore when the front passenger grabbed the steering wheel and jerked it to the right, causing the driver to lose control.
The SUV flipped several times, ejecting both Sandoval and Nazaroff, who were riding in the backseat, from the car. The driver and another passenger suffered minor and moderate injuries and were taken to community Regional Medical Center.
Investigators said none of the three teens in the backseat were wearing their seat belts at the time of the accident.
It was also determined that all five, including the driver, had been drinking.
Because of the circumstances surrounding the accident, the driver could be facing felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter charges.