The Consequences of Reckless Teen Driving

Lisa Metzger is living every parent's nightmare. Her beautiful 16 year old daughter, her only child, is gone. Jennifer was a popular, beautiful teenager in her junior year of high school. Her daughter's life was taken by an 18 year old who recklessly was speeding and walked away without any criminal charges or apologies. Jennifer's mother hopes to get people to take a look at the laws in New Jersey regarding speeding, teen drivers and how these laws are enforced. Maybe through her efforts and the efforts of hundreds of supporters we can avoid the roadside memorials that have become far too commonplace along New Jersey's highways.

The rally for Justice for Jennifer was held on a Sunday afternoon under the overpass of Route 9 where the accident took place. Many wore t-shirts with Jennifer's picture and held signs asking for justice for a girl whose family is determined to not let her become another statistic. Hundreds stopped to sign a petition asking the Middlesex County grand jury to take another look at the accident that killed Jennifer and injured another passenger in the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was not indicted although he was speeding and lost control of the vehicle which resulted in Jennifer's death.

The 18 year old driver of the vehicle was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. He was speeding. He lost control of the vehicle and crashed. If he had been under the influence of drugs or alcohol perhaps it would have been easier to indict him on vehicular homicide charges. He was only speeding after all.

Teenagers all feel that they are invincible. We adults can all remember what it was like. Many of us did stupid things and made bad choices as teens. Few, if any of us cost someone their life like this teenage driver did.

Allegedly, the driver was cut off by another vehicle which caused him to lose control of the vehicle and crash. Stories have also been told that the driver was drag racing with another vehicle. Regardless of whether the driver was cut off or was racing the fact remains that the driver was speeding. We have speed limits for a reason. They are not a suggestion, they are to be taken seriously. The driver broke the law. Jennifer was the victim of his recklessness and disobedience of the law.

Jennifer Metzger is gone. She is not coming back. Whether the driver of this vehicle faces criminal charges or not, Jennifer died. Many might argue that this 18 year old has to live with causing this girl's death for the rest of his life. His recklessness behind the wheel has devastated a family and it will take a long time for them to come to grips with their grief. What will punishing him do? Living with what he has done is punishment enough, some say.

Not indicting this driver for vehicular homicide or assault is sending a message to other teenagers. You can get away with driving recklessly. You can speed. You are not responsible for the passengers in your vehicle. If you are driving with friends in your car and one of them dies you are not a killer. You are above the law.

How are we as a society supposed to teach our children to obey the laws when they are so brazenly ignored? Speeding is not a crime? Causing the death of a teenage girl is not a crime? Why is this 18 year old allowed to walk away from this with no punishment except for the guilt he may or may not feel? Jennifer's parents can sue the driver's insurance company. That will hurt the driver's parents. His parents are not responsible for their son's actions. He is responsible for his actions. He should be the one that is punished. A message needs to be sent.

Driving is a privilege, not a right. If you cause someone's death you will face criminal charges. Maybe we all need to consider that the nightmare that Jennifer's family is living could be our own. We need tougher laws and we need to enforce them.