Fatal Crash Spotlights New Jersey’s Teen Driving Law

By | August 25, 2011

A New Jersey law barring drivers under 18 from having more than one passenger is in the spotlight after an SUV driven by a 17-year-old and carrying seven teenagers crashed. The driver and three passengers died in last Saturday’s accident.

The Motor Vehicle Commission said Casey Brenner had a restricted license that allowed him to carry only one passenger unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. All eight in the SUV were members of the high school football team in Linwood.

Assemblyman John Wisniewski said he wants to see if there are “gaps or problems” with the Graduated Driver’s License law, which aims to limit distractions for new drivers.

The teenagers were on their way to meet other players at the Old Country Buffet in Mays Landing, one of several places players often go to eat.

Sgt. Julian Castellanos, a state police spokesman, said the driver, 17-year-old Casey Brenner of Northfield, apparently lost control of the vehicle about 11:45 a.m. Saturday as it went around a crest on the parkway and came upon heavy traffic.

The vehicle overturned several times, ejecting two passengers, one of whom was struck by a passing car, Castellanos said.

Topics Personal Auto New Jersey

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