Three Arizona juveniles required hospitalization after being seriously injured in an early morning crash recently.
The crash occurred in Chandler, Arizona. A 21-year-old driver was in charge of a van filled with seven people, including five juveniles. The van flipped over in a single-car crash while traveling near Hunt Highway and Val Vista Drive in the city.
Police in Chandler said two of the passengers were thrown from the van as a result of the incident. All three victims were transported to the hospital but are expected to live.
According to police, the woman driving the van lost control as she tried to steady the vehicle after hitting a dirt shoulder. She was unable to get the car back on the road safely.
The driver was impaired, police said, and faces several charges related to driving under the influence. The changes include endangerment and aggravated assault.
This incident reinforces how important it is for parents to talk to their children about the dangers of getting into a car with someone who has been drinking or using drugs.
Here are some facts for your conversation from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration:
- Every day in the U.S., about 800 people are injured when they’re involved in a crash with a drunk driver; 29 of them are killed.
- Marijuana users are in a crash 25% more often than drivers haven’t used marijuana.
- About 13% of drivers on the road on a weekend night have used marijuana.
Remind the kids that you always will be there to provide a ride home – no questions asked – or to call another relative or a friend for a lift. They also can stay where they are overnight after notifying you, or you could buy your teen a gift card for a ride-sharing service to use in an emergency.
That the young people who were injured are expected to be OK is terrific news. However, the families in this Chandler crash undoubtedly wish their children had an opportunity to do that night over again as they are faced with medical and legal issues.