There is a certain thrill to being young. It is a time for exploration; life is full excitement and adventure. You find yourself. And while there’s nothing wrong with any of these things, sometimes youth causes elements of fun to turn sour in light of bad decisions. Sadly, two fatally injured young men in Escondido have succumbed to the perils that sometimes come with youth after an alleged speeding accident claimed their lives earlier this month.

Reports say the 24-year-old driver of a 1999 Toyota Corolla was speeding on Bear Valley Parkway in Escondido early Sunday morning when it veered off the road approaching Canyon Road just after 3 a.m. The car struck a signal light post where it became engulfed into a fiery heap of metal and glass.

As police and firefighters arrived at the scene of the car accident, they found the vehicle ablaze along with one of the men reportedly stuck inside the vehicle. Tragically, the passenger, age 23, was trapped inside the fiery car and was extricated by firemen. The driver was taken to Palomar Medical Center where he was treated for “severe traumatic injuries.” Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead just after 9:30 a.m. the following morning.

Police officials say the accident was a result of speeding. An investigation is underway to determine if alcohol was a factor in the crash as well.

YOUNG DRIVERS: MAKING GOOD DECISIONS BEHIND THE WHEEL

No one says young people shouldn’t have fun. In fact, youth is the best time to live your life to the fullest! Nevertheless, a word of caution: fun must be tempered with sensibility and a dash of caution. The truth is that no one is invincible. Things – bad things – can and do happen in the face of bad decisions. Don’t be a statistic.

FOLLOW THE RULES

Quite possibly the most sensible of all our advice-giving: Follow the rules on the road! One of the best decisions you can make as a young driver is to simply do what, hopefully, everyone else does on the road. Drive the speed limit. Don’t drink and drive. Stop at red lights. Use your blinker. Not only are these things common sense, but these rules are also the law. Stick to them and you have the potential to save not only the lives of others but your very life as well.

KNOW HOW TO HANDLE EMERGENCIES

A defensive driving course is a great way to practice your driving skills in the event of an emergency situation. An emergency situation is just that – an emergency. So, most drivers don’t get an opportunity to practice what they would do in light of an emergency. Get ahead of the game and take a defensive driving course where you can practice your reflexes when it comes to emergencies such as sudden stops, hydroplaning, spinning out of control and unexpectedly curvy roadways.

ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION

Amidst all the excitement of being young, err on the side of caution. If your intuition tells you that it’s a good idea to stop yourself from doing something or to simply become unengaged, then you’re probably right. Listen to the voice of reason if you ever sense yourself questioning your behavior. It may save your life.

WHEN CAR ACCIDENTS OCCUR

Sometimes young people get into car accidents that are not their fault. And in many cases, personal injury is the tragic result. If your son, daughter or young loved one was involved in an accident, please give us a call for a FREE consultation. Or, if you’re over the age of 18 and have been involved in an injury accident, call us today to understand your legal rights: 1-858-551-2090. We don’t collect a penny unless we win your case. Call us now.