Adults Charged in Villa Rica Teen Drunk Driving Accident
Several adults, and at least one teenager face charges arising out of a fatal drunk driving accident that killed a 16-year-old Villa Rica boy. The adults include fathers of some of the teenagers involved, as well as a liquor store owner.
The accident occurred over the weekend when a car full of teenagers crashed in Douglas County. According to Georgia State Patrol, driver Jason Lark lost control of his SUV, and the resulting accident killed 16-year-old passenger Cheyenne Sauls. Lark was on bond for drug and alcohol charges at the time of the accident. Not surprisingly, the judge has denied his bond application this time around.
Investigations have been tracing Lark’s actions just before the accident. According to them, he first made a stop at a party being hosted by the teenage grandson of a man called Sherman Bennett, who has now been charged in the accident for allowing underage drinking in his house. There, Lark consumed an undetermined amount of alcohol, and then went on to his next stop, another party that was being hosted by another teenager. In that case too, the teenager had been allowed by his father to drink with his minor friends. This teenager purchased alcohol at a Douglasville liquor store, and the liquor store owner now faces charges. Lark consumed more alcohol at the second party, and then drove on, resulting in the accident.
The number of arrests related to this fatal drunk driving accident could actually increase. Police say that at least four more adults could be charged, including a 21-year-old man who is accused of providing alcohol to the high school students just before the accident.
As an Atlanta car accident attorney, one thing is clear to me - adults should be doing much more to reduce teen drunk driving and accident rates. This is a category of drivers that is already at a high risk for drunk driving, because of peer pressure, inexperience and other factors. When adults encourage minor children to drink, the consequences are bound to be devastating for all concerned.
