Officials have released the details surrounding a deadly New York City auto accident that claimed the lives of four teenagers. 19-year old Joseph Beer, from Queens, was behind the wheel when his car crashed on the Southern State Parkway in Long Island. His four passengers were killed in the crash but Beer survived.
Official statements from the police show that Beer was not only travelling in excess of 100 miles per hour at the time of the crash but was also under the influence of marijuana. The car he was driving, a high-performance Subaru “tuner” car, was cut in half by the force of the impact. The four victims were ejected from the vehicle.
Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Palma said in a statement that Beer was “showing his friends just how fast his car could go” when the accident occurred. She also said he was “far too high” to be behind the wheel and driving “far too fast” for the road conditions. According to police documents, Beer wasn’t even yet a licensed driver and was operating with just a learner’s permit.
This accident comes on the heels of a new report which showcases a 65% increase in auto accident fatalities on New York City streets related to excessive speed from just 49 in 2011 to 81 in 2012.
If convicted of all the charges lined up against him, Beer could be facing up to 25 years in prison. However, that fact does not protect him from wrongful death lawsuits filed against him by surviving family members of the four teenagers his allegedly poor driving killed.
Successfully winning such a suit can help ease the financial burden associated with the loss of part of the family. Monetary awards can help to cover funeral costs and provide for the children left behind to now fend for themselves.
If you or a loved one injured in a New York City auto accident or if you’ve lost a loved on to the reckless actions of another driver, contact a qualified attorney today to discuss the legal options available to you. Call the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel for a free consultation at or 212-385-1122 to learn your rights.