Police are still unclear as to who was at fault in a two-car crash that claimed the life of a high school student on the afternoon of Jan. 24, according to local sources. Florida law enforcement officers are still investigating the car accident, which sent a further two teens to a local hospital. Highway Patrol estimates the accident took place at approximately 12:15 on U.S. Highway 29.
The accident report suggests that a vehicle being driven by a 19-year-old man was attempting a left-hand turn, which took him into the path of a 59-year-old driver coming from the other direction. It is unclear which of these drivers had the right-of-way at the time of the crash. The elder driver apparently escaped without injury.
One of the passengers, a 17-year-old boy, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Two other passengers in the same vehicle, ages 18 and 17, were also injured in the crash and were taken to local hospitals for treatment. Their injuries are not considered life-threatening, and they are expected to make a full recovery.
At this point in the investigation, Florida Highway Patrol has not determined which of the two drivers should be held responsible for the car accident, as more information will be required before right-of-way can be established. Should the elder driver be deemed negligent in her treatment of the situation, she could face criminal charges. In addition, she could be open to civil suits filed by the families of the injured and deceased parties, though these suits will also require some evidence of wrongdoing on her part.
Source: pnj.com, “Pine Forest student Jaques Hill killed in crash“, Brian Achatz, Jan. 28, 2015