Earlier last month, we reported on a tragic car accident that involved a group of teenagers involved in dangerous street racing. After the young and inexperienced drivers lost control of their vehicles, two passengers were ejected from one of the cars, killing the teens at the scene of the accident. Now, the 16-year-old motorist who raced the opposing car has pleaded guilty to charges of gross vehicular manslaughter according to reports by 10News.
Zach Bishop will face a maximum of seven years and four months in custody for the crime. His sentencing is scheduled for July 14.
According to local officials, Bishop and the motorist in the other vehicle were racing up to 100 mph after coming home from a beach party in La Jolla. Bishop’s Volkswagen Passat lost control, causing a tragic car accident that killed Anthony Foreman, 18, and Jayli Campbell, just 16 years of age.
The defense team for the teen driver says the racing was not an intentional act, including the wrongful deaths and serious injuries.
Teach responsible driving
At some point, most every teen has attended a driver’s education course through conventional book and test. Every teen that has a driver’s license has passed a driving test conducted by the DMV. And yet, many tragic and unwanted teen car accidents occur every year.
Some of the best driving habits can start by the rules put in place by you – the adult. Of course, that’s not to say teen drivers don’t benefit from traditional driver’s education courses. Those types of classes and behind the wheel training are essential to the foundation of driving. But as a parent or guardian, you can help instill an extra level of driver readiness and responsibility by considering these suggestions:
Teen parent driving contract: a contract is an essential way to ensure that your teen knows the rules while he or she is driving without your direct supervision. Download your free teen contract now.
Safe driver courses: beyond the hours required for behind the wheel driving prior to getting a license, you can register your teen for optional safe driver courses at private schools. While these types of classes can be expensive, the extra practice can go a long way in establishing safe driving habits.
Curfews: Sure, no teen likes a curfew, but it might be a good idea when your teen is behind the wheel. Teen car accidents can happen late at night when the temptation to bend the rules is often too irresistible for naïve teens. An earlier curfew can help curb unwanted behavior like racing.
When accidents happen: injury or death is a serious matter
If you are a family member of a teen injured in a car accident, and you suspect the driver of the vehicle may have been responsible for the crash, you have legal options. It’s important to speak to legal counsel as soon as possible in order to preserve your legal rights. For a free consultation, call the Law Offices of Michael Pines, APC at 1-800-655-6585. There are no out-of-pocket costs to hire our experienced personal injury attorneys in San Diego to represent your case.
About Michael PinesMichael Pines is a former insurance company attorney who specializes in car accident injury. While he was an insurance attorney, he learned from behind the scenes on how insurance companies work and how they decided to pay injured people. Now that he works against insurance companies, Michael's inside knowledge has resulted in significant benefits to his clients injured in car accidents.
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