Police looking at driver's license of teen involved in Brighton crash

Posted at: 10/10/2012 11:11 PM | Updated at: 10/10/2012 11:54 PM
By: Lynette Adams | WHEC.com

One of two teens still in the hospital following Tuesday's crash on Warren Avenue in Brighton has improved.

Christa Mickol, a freshman at Brighton High School, has been upgraded to satisfactory condition. Junior Scott Collins is still listed in guarded condition.

Brighton Police spent the day investigating what caused the crash that sent four teenagers to the hospital. They're trying to determine how fast the car was going. Police are also looking at the license of the 16-year-old driver -- he could have been in violation.

It's a dilemma many parents face -- just when do you say yes to your teen who's ready to drive?

"We are lucky he's here and I hope he learns the lesson. He's 16 -- always worries me." Kalbana Thapa is counting her blessings. Her son walked away from Tuesday's crash on Warren Avenue with only minor injuries and he's home but she hopes he learns driving is serious business.

The three other people in the car are all teens.

Police are investigating if speed played a role in this crash. Brighton Police Chief Mark Henderson said, "We are looking into a number of factors, one of which is speed. At this time, I don't have a definitive answer on that. We've had a number of witnesses that have come forward that have indicated in their opinion the car may have been exceeding the speed limit."

The manager of the Morgan School of Driving is saddened by this accident involving teens. Larry Scott said, "Basically kids don't see the risks. They drive too fast and tend to be easily distracted." Scott says the majority of teen accidents involve 16 year olds. "Get them to 18, they tend to slow down a little bit, they've learned a little better how to better control the car."

The other question police are looking at: Were there too many teens in the car with a 16-year-old driver?

Scott said there are more restrictions for a 16-year-old driver, like not being able to drive after 9 p.m. He said, "The other thing you can't do is have more than one non immediate family member in the car who is under the age of 21."

Scott advises parents to ride with your children before allowing them to get a drivers' license, reinforce the no cell phone rule and set a good example yourself.

He said if you don't think your teen is ready for a license, there's a good chance he or she isn't. 

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