16 year old dead and 3 other teens injured in NY car crash

3 High School Students were injured and one died in a car accident in Rockland County, NY. All teenagers were students from Clarkstown North High School. 18 year old Allan Mendoza was driving a Mitsubishi Lancer with 3 other students from his high school on board last Thursday night around 11:00 pm when they got involved in a 3 vehicle crashes.

The accident occurred near 256 Congers Road in New City. Among those who suffered the most serious injuries were a 16 year old boy and a 17 year old girl. The 16 year old boy died from his injuries on Friday. He was identified as Vladzslav Hvalyk.

The 18 year old driver was drunk behind the wheel and was charged with reckless driving, driving while intoxicated, second-degree vehicular manslaughter, second degree manslaughter aggravated vehicular homicide and aggravated vehicular assault. He was arraigned and sent to Rockland County Jail pending a future Court date.

The deadly NY car accident comes just a few weeks after the death of 16 year old Jacqueline Zangrilli, another high school student who died in very similar circumstances in Rockland County. She was in a car driven by a 17 year old boy who was drunk behind the wheel and lost control of the vehicle. (read more here)

Accidents involving teens driving with other teens are all too common in New York State and in other States. In New York, 18 year old drivers are considered “senior drivers” as long as they have completed all necessary licensing requirements and do not have any restriction in regards to driving at night or with other passengers while drivers between 16 and 18 years old are allowed to drive in Upstate NY with a junior license. The junior license is more restrictive and allows drivers to drive alone during the day and with a supervisor older than 21 years old and who is a close family member at night.