Young people make mistakes — it’s simply a part of growing up — but sometimes those mistakes lead to criminal charges, and teenagers and young adults who are accused of crimes will need a strong criminal defense.
Two 18-year-olds in the Myrtle Beach area will need such a defense after being charged with felony DUI. Each young man was arrested after separate incidents last month that left two people dead.
Police say that one of the teens ran a red light in Myrtle Beach and struck another vehicle. The accident happened at the intersection of Farrow Parkway and South Kings Highway, and a 19-year-old in the accused driver’s vehicle was killed. The occupants of the second vehicle reportedly were not injured.
In a separate crash in Florence, another young man is accused of driving a vehicle that collided with a motorist from Charlotte. The 21-year-old woman driving the second vehicle was killed.
A news report doesn’t indicate exactly why police believe the accused drivers were intoxicated, and a complete analysis of the available evidence will be necessary in assessing the charges.
A report from WBTW offered some statistics regarding teen drivers and accidents involving alcohol. According to that report, only 10 percent of licensed drivers are under the age of 21, but underage drivers are said to be responsible for 17 percent of fatal alcohol-related accidents.
These wrecks can be devastating for everyone involved, including the accused driver, and when underage drinking is believed to be a factor, young people need to be aware of their defense options.
Source: wbtw.com, “Man charged in a deadly D.U.I. crash in Myrtle Beach warns others about drunk driving,” Leah Mishkin, June 18, 2013