According to local reports three people were seriously injured in a car wreck in Lubbock Texas. The accident occurred Wednesday September 14 when witnesses report having seen two vehicles racing near 23rd and Milwaukee Avenue. One of the vehicles involved a black Dodge truck became trapped between a pole and a tree with two people trapped inside including a 12-year-old boy. Another occupant was ejected from the truck. The three victims were taken to a local Lubbock hospital in serious condition. The names of the victims and further details have not been released at this point.
Update: Early news reports indicating a 12-year-old boy was injured have been proved inaccurate. The driver of the vehicle has been identified as 15-year-old Ivan Uribe and passengers in the vehicle are listed as 15-year-old Isaiah Washington and 15-year-old Anthony Solis.
Update: Lubbock Police have ruled out the possibility of street racing as a factor in the accident.
Site of the Accident
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Commentary
I cannot tell you how dangerous drag racing is for all motorists involved including spectators. Before I go any further an independent investigation is needed to corroborate the witnesses accounts that the two vehicles were drag racing. If these accounts turn out to be true the law could certainly view this as a negligent act. But rather than discuss the teens hurt in this terrible crash something should be said of parental liability.
Much like an employer can be held vicariously liable for the actions of their employees parents have a moral responsibility as well as a legal duty over their children. It is obvious any implication needs to be corroborated with the investigation but if the parents of the driver had knowledge the young man intended to pick up friends and drive that day they could be faulted in personal injury claims. Aside from being incredibly dangerous it is illegal in the state of Texas for a permitted driver to operate a vehicle without an adult present. Again I am speculating here but any allowance of these actions to occur could be the tipping point in negligence determinations.
First and foremost I hope all the teenagers fully recover from the accident. I realize how difficult it may be to begin to think about a civil claim when an accident occurs but I also know the financial burden incurred from a loved ones accident can be just as difficult.
Lubbock Personal Injury Attorney Michael Grossman
