Getting a driver’s license is a milestone that most teen drivers look forward to. Unfortunately, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death and disability among teenagers in the United States. In 2017, according to statistics from the NHTSA, there were 1,830 drivers aged 15 to 20 who died in auto accidents.
Though this is a dire statistic, this number is 4% lower than the 1,916 young drivers killed in 2016. People aged 16 to 19 have the highest risk of being involved in a motor vehicle crash than any other age group. 75% of teen driver crashes are caused by critical error, such as speeding or being distracted by something inside the vehicle.
CBS Local Miami reports that a 19-year-old driver has been arrested in connection with a West Miami-Dade hit-and-run accident. 19-year-old Robert Lee Harden was taken into custody following a series of crashes on the Palmetto Expressway.
Harden was behind the wheel of a Jeep when he fled a series of crashes on the expressway. He then slammed into another vehicle on Flagler Street and SW 69 Avenue a short time later.
Isabel Montoya was on her way home from work when the crash happened. She reported hearing sirens. She looked to see where the sirens were coming from when she saw Harden hurling towards her. She described his speed as 100 m.p.h. and said that she couldn’t avoid the crash.
Montoya reported that the impact caused her car to spin two or three times. She suffered an injury to her leg and her vehicle was totaled.
Harden was taken to jail and is facing multiple charges. Some of the charges include leaving the scene of an accident and reckless driving.
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