Seatbelt Saves the Life of Upstate NY Teen in Accident That Kills 4 of Her Friends
An accident that claimed the life of 4 teenagers is serving as a tragic reminder about seatbelt use.
An accident in the town of Burns, northwest of Elmira, claimed the life of 4 teens between the ages of 14 and 16. The "vehicle had failed to stop for a stop sign where the route intersects with County Route 13. The vehicle, heading eastbound, struck an embankment and then a tree," according to Syracuse.com. One girl survived - the front-seat passenger - and the only one in the 2018 Jeep Cherokee who was wearing a seatbelt.
The driver of the vehicle was 16 years old.
Every parent who has ever handed over the keys to the family vehicle to their child has offered the obvious reminders: never ever drink and drink, don't drive too fast, and wear your seatbelt whenever you're in your car - a passenger and driver.
How many of you - even when you were behind the wheel - refused to start moving until every child had their seatbelt securely fastened? I know I have.
Teenagers think they're invincible, but we know better. Maybe this awful tragic story will inspire one teenager to insist that everyone in their vehicle fasten their seatbelts before the car moves - even the kids in the back.
Our hearts go out to the families devastated by this accident.