News | Peachtree City

3 teens charged in Parkway crash

Mon, 03/06/2006 - 1:04pm
By: John Munford

Three 16-year-old drivers have been charged with racing and reckless driving stemming from a violent auto crash Aug. 30, police said.

Moments before the crash, one of the drivers veered off the road and struck a well-established tree in the median of Peachtree Parkway near Battery Way. The collision was so violent that it caused severe injuries to the driver, Eric Stenger, 16, of Henna Place, Peachtree City, police said.

Stenger’s recovery from those injuries was the main reason it took so long for charges to be filed in connection with the crash, police said.

Videotape from a nearby school bus “clearly showed the driving actions” of those involved, police said. Also, four independent witnesses provided accounts of the actions leading up to the wreck, police said.

The names of the other drivers involved are not being released because they are juveniles. The charges will be considered in Fayette County Juvenile Court.

One of the three juveniles charged in the case was also cited with failure to maintain lane and violation of instructional permit, police said.

The police department’s accident reconstruction team investigated the crash, which occurred near the school bus, which had a full load of children at the time, police said.

Another passenger in Stenger’s car was injured but released from the hospital the same day.

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I bet some of you would feel
Submitted by PTC G on Sat, 04/01/2006 - 1:32pm.

I bet some of you would feel differently if it was your own kid.

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Teen Car Crash
Submitted by glassen on Tue, 03/07/2006 - 5:41pm.

I don't think that these teens should be charged for this accident. ACCIDENT is the key word here. Peachtree City Police are only in it for the money. These boys could have died, have some consideration. They know they messed up and I think laying in the hospital was a lesson learned for them. Charging them would be shady and stupid.

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In it for the money?
Submitted by McDonoughDawg on Wed, 03/08/2006 - 5:25pm.

How does the PTC stand to make money by charging these kids? I saw the car right after it hit the tree, I live on Battery Way. It was obvious he was flying. He had just came by Booth and folks were everywhere. Next time, he may not be so lucky, and hit someone innocent.

Accidents are not caused by speeding down a parkway with a 40MPH Speed Limit. 25 if he came through the school zone. His actions directly lead to the "accident". Actions have consequences.

I hope he realizes how many innocent folks he put at risk.

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See Your Point, But...
Submitted by spideymann on Tue, 03/07/2006 - 7:46pm.

I'm sure that they probably know they messed up and are sorry for what happened. But they have to face the consequences of their actions and accept the punishment. Hopefully everyone learned a lesson about racing and reckless driving-you just can't do it. I'm glad everyone recovered. I think the police really didn't have a choice but to charge them. I hope everything turns out okay for everyone involved.

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Glassen "Shady and Stupid"
Leoah Whineknott's picture
Submitted by Leoah Whineknott on Tue, 03/07/2006 - 6:47pm.

Peachtree City Police are not “only in it for the money.” They risk their lives for us everyday to keep us safe and they get paid very little to do it. I am so sick of those who whine and complain about the people who care about our community enough to try and keep it safe, while they defend the very people who are making it a dangerous place to live.

Yes, those boys could have died. Just as any other child in the vicinity of this “accident” could have died. It would be 'shady and stupid' if the police didn't do their job and charge the people they feel are responsible. I’m glad Stenger lived, but it should be up to the court system to decide whether or not he has learned a lesson.

Leoah Whineknott


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Accident?
Submitted by fcteacher on Tue, 03/07/2006 - 5:45pm.

Did they, at any time, break the law and/or endanger the lives of others with their behavior?

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