Deadly week for teens: Five die in wrecks
In the past week, four wrecks have left five teens dead in central and eastern North Carolina.
Posted — UpdatedDecember was also a deadly month for teens last year. According to the state Highway Patrol, 15 of the state’s 161 teen fatalities occurred then.
According to the N.C. Highway Patrol, 136 teens have been killed in wrecks this year. Of those deaths, five have occurred this month.
Authorities said Cole crossed the center line, side-swiped another vehicle and hit another car head-on. The driver of that vehicle, Victoria Jordan, 42, of Burgaw, was also killed.
Ivor Joyce Tart described her grandson, Tyler Brewer, as loving and caring. She said he had just received his learner's permit and was excited about driving himself.
The car struck a tree stump. Susan Othman, a senior at Panther Creek, was being treated at Duke University Hospital. She was charged with improper passing and speeding. The truck driver also faces charges.
Despite recent deaths, overall experts say the number of wrecks involving teen drivers in the state is decreasing.
The number of teen drivers killed in automobile wrecks in the state has been on a downward trend, according to Arthur Goodwin, senior research associate with the Highway Safety Research Center at the University of North Carolina.
The number of crashes involving teens has also decreased from 56,027 in 2003 to 48,758 last year, according to Goodwin.
The group, which has nearly 1,800 members, features condolences to families who have lost a teen in a crash.
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