It’s always tragic news when you find out that a young person lost his or her life in a car crash. Many of these accidents are preventable, making the death frustrating to everyone involved in the case.

This case is no different. According to a Jan. 2 news report, a 17-year-old woman was killed on New Year’s Eve in a collision near Manheim. The young woman died because of multiple traumatic injuries, reported the coroner in Lancaster County. After the autopsy, the death was reported as accidental.

When the crash took place just after 6:00 p.m., on New Year’s Eve, an 18-year-old male was driving the vehicle. Two other minor females were also in the car. They were traveling on Lebanon Road when the vehicle left the roadway, leading to it colliding with a detached garage. The Mazda SUV took a serious impact, which resulting in at least one of the victims being trapped inside.

After the collision, the three living patients were transferred as a trauma patients to local hospitals. Fortunately, their injuries weren’t life-threatening. The fourth teen, the 17-year-old woman mentioned above, died at the scene from her injuries despite efforts by the emergency team.

The sad thing about crashes like this is that the people involved suffered injuries that likely did not need to take place. If a crash is caused by drinking, distractions or negligence, it could have been prevented. If you’re struck or hurt because a driver is negligent, remember that you have been a victim. You have a right to look out for your own best interests.

Source: Lancaster Online, “Coroner identifies 17-year-old girl killed in Rapho Township crash on New Year’s Eve,” Jennifer Todd, Jan. 02, 2018