01-20-06 Accident

The story is the 5 teens in a BMW (it was a curtiosy car from some dealership) pull up to a 4 way stop here in Broadlands (not sure which one) at the same time a sheriffs officer does. The kids panic or something throw the car into reverse and back into a woman in her minivan. After hitting the van they freak again and drive off. Of course the cop has just seen this whole thing and takes off after the kids thus starting a high speed pursuit. Pursuit stops when the kids loose control of the car go through the gaurdrail jump the drainage hole and come to a stop in the woods. Driver takes off running but is aprehended later in the afternoon (cops were out all over broadlands searching for him for several hours). The passenger of the car was air lifted out of here and taken to INOVA not sure of his condition. The three teens in the back were fine except for a couple bumps and bruises and of course they told the officers who the driver was.

this was the informaition that was given to the person in the van who then passed it on to me. I am sure it is fairly accurate but that is all I know about the incident

Staci

 

Homer...no, I don't believe there is but is the threat of deadly force always indicated regardless of the threat?

 

For all the cop knows, these kids could have just stolen the car, robbed a 7/11, and are out on a joyride, smoking crack.

After seeing them lose it at the 4-way stop, there is no way of knowing what they have in the car.

Watch the show COPS, each and every time they have a runner from any type of TA, or traffic stop, they have their weapons out. Often they don't know why they took off, just that they ran.





Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

Maybe 10 years ago you could get away w/o drawing a weapon but with MS13 and Meth running rampant in this county the officer is taking his/her life in their own hands.

The officer obviously showed restraint since they didnt pop a cap into the kid. In the near future non lethal weapons will be standard and they'll be able to adminsiter a good tazering or thermal shock to teach them a lesson.

Whenever I watch COPS I am truly amazed on how many people don't respect the police and continually do not obey instructions. It would be one thing if the Bush administration was truly the Empire [Cheney is the Emporer you know] but as far as countries go [and states!], this is the best. These kids need to go somewhere truly horrible [like New Orleans or Calcutta] and see how truly lucky they are to have everything they have.

 

I'd give the cop the benefit of the doubt. We've got a great sheriff's dept, considering how much area they have to cover, with less than a full complement of men.

You put your life on the line daily, then talk about what should have been done.

Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

The County police force is woefully overtaxed. It's still running in a rural mode when we are close to being a city. For example Blacksburg, VA is the largest town in USA with 50k all year round residents. During school it's over 100k. They have Town cops, University cops and County cops.

Now add all the houses in the greater Ashburn/Leesburg/Sterling area. I'm sure it is well over 100k souls.

 

I want to know ... why in the world were they driving a BMW, I don't even drive a BMW !!! And I make pretty good $$$$. I am a parent of two teenage drivers and believe me they will NOT be driving cars that they cannot handle....ie mustangs, corvettes, BMW's. My daughter is a senior at Stonebridge (and drives a little Nissan, that she worked for I might add) and see's kids pulling up to school in these types of cars every day! To this day I don't get parents that purchase these kinds of cars for 16 year olds!

 

Honestly, when I was a teen and driving I did some pretty stupid things. I probably shouldn't be here today...just lucky. I agree kids will be kids but this is a LOT different. Running from the police at high speeds in a neighborhood and then running away. That's not kids being kids...that is ample justification to be taken down with any necessary force.

The problem isn't that we are a punishing society like you say. The problem is we have gotten away from punishing!! Kids are no longer scared of anything (I'm not talking about the feeling of being invincible we all had). I'm talking about at home, school, law. There is no punishments in school, the law is limited in what it can do, and sadly a lot of parents don't take the responsibility either.

Assuming there were no drugs or theft involved, what will happen? Driver may lose license until 18. They'll have to pay damages and maybe a couple hours of community service. Yeah...that'll teach them!

 

Does it truly matter what kind of car anyone drives? A teen can do just as much "damage" in just about any other car made my man (and woman).

As far as driving a car "they can't handle", that is just hogwash. Cars do not drive irresponsibly, people do! A BMW driven at the speed limit is as easily handled as any other car (properly maintained of course).

When I was a much younger man, I got into a helluva lot more trouble in a old, beat up Tercel than I ever did in my shiny, new Z28 Camaro.

 

T8, I think the point was that the Beamer was given to them, not earned. You probably earned your shiny new car and treat it with care.

When you give kids a 30k car when they turn 16 what does that teach them? What do they have to look forward to in life? My kid will have to work to pay for insurance will be getting either a hand me down car or something like a small kia, hundai or something. My first car was a dodge omni, I had to work for it and I enjoy my "nice" car now b/c of it.

 

Well Homer, I am a fence sitter on that particular issue. Who are we to say how another parent(s) should spend their money?

I do agree that a teen of drving age should "earn" the car when purchased by their parents. By this I mean good grades, good behavoir and demonstrated responsibilty. And if my wife and I are fortunate enough to be LOADED when our son is of drving age, I just might buy him a nice, sporty car myself.

Regardless of what car he would drive, used irresposibly it would be taken away pronto!

 

I'm sure it's not just the giving of the car that is the source of alot of bad behavior. Lack of responsibility for the car and insurance is probably a big part of it too. I doubt those joy riders had a job or paid for their insurance. Probably didnt have to do chores either. Look at Paris Hilton for an example of what wealth without responsibility does for a child.

 

Off topic, but I saw this a while back and got a kick out of it:

http://parisfacial.ytmnd.com/

edit: despite the url, it's not porn and it's work safe

 

Now that is funny!

I read somewhere a while back (by accident) that she took several weeks of model "posing" class. Based on that site, she passed with flying colors!

 

T8, I hope, for your childs sake you do not buy a "hot rod" car when they become of age especially if you have a son. Testosterone just takes over, fast and furious is the name of the game they cannot help themselves. I know I have a 16 year old son. maybe you child is little still but when they become 16 I'd love to hear your opinion. I would bet money you will be singing a different song.

On another note,I found out today that one of the boys involved in that accident, [name edited by moderator] is a personnal friend of my son's. His parents are wonderful loving people, we know them. The car was one of boy's uncles and he had it as a loaner. So I was wrong (and I'm glad) about the vehicle being purchased for one of the teens Devon is in the hospital with very serious injuries. I can't explain it.

 

Dixie, the real point I was trying to make is that the car a teen drives really does not matter. Sure some "cool" cars may make a teen drive more aggressively while some SUVs and trucks may make them feel more invincible. The key is to teach responsibilty when driving. And it all starts when YOU drive. Kids will tend to emulate their parents driving habits OR their other friends that they may ride with.

 

I have two boys of driving age and I would want the full extent of the law used against them if they caused harm to anyone while driving recklessly. This is a bunch of crap defending kids that break the law period. We need to sacrifice a few of them if that is what it takes to help keep this from spiraling out of control. If they break the law throw the book at them zero tolerance. These kids recklessly endangered innocent people and seriously injured themselves.

I am in total disbelief of what some of you parents are saying here. If they want to speed no problem take it to the race track which are several in the region. I have teenagers driving and as far as I am concerned throw away the key if they hurt someone recklessly.

Some of you may have forgotten driving is a privilage not a right. So what if the parents are good people their kids seriously committed a crime and are criminals and should be severly punished for it. Now a stiff sentence, and that message will get around the school like wildfire. I grew up in Dallas Texas and the kids that committed serious crimes such as these were delt with harshly and believe me that spread around the school like wildfire. Did it stop it of course not but I think it made many think twice I know it made me think twice.

Again we were always told take it to the race track.

Lee J Buividas

 

Normally I would dissagreee with you Lee, but in this case...


Amen Brother!

 

Does anyone know if everyone in the minivan is ok?

 

I've read everyone's comments on this subject and have tried to keep quiet. But, as the wife of a Federal Agent, I agree with the police in pulling their weapon. You never know what you are dealing with. AND, as the mother of a child killed by a wreckless driver, I am a firm believer in severe punishment for anyone who drives in a way that puts others in danger. I have raised one daughter and have a son who will be driving soon. He will be taught from home to respect the roads and law enforcement.