Junior Operator Cited After Weekend Crash in South End

A 17-year-old was cited after she struck and seriously injured a couple and their infant child in the South End on Sunday afternoon.

According to witnesses and investigators, the teenager hit the couple and child as they were crossing the street near Columbus Avenue and Dartmouth Street. The teen’s car also hit a pole and the side of a brownstone at Lawrence and Dartmouth streets. The couple and their child were taken to Tufts Medical Center and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for serious injuries. The child was not seriously injured and was released to family members. The father was admitted for a leg and head injury, and the mother suffered serious head and neck trauma.

The driver was operating with a junior operator’s license, and had been driving with another 17-year-old in the car; a violation of J.O.L passenger restrictions. According to Massachusetts Law, junior operators may not operate a motor vehicle within the first six months of obtaining his or her license with an individual under the age of 18 years, unless accompanied by a person who is at least 21 years old, has at least one year of driving experience, holds a valid driver’s license from Massachusetts or another state, and is occupying the passenger seat. Violations of this restriction may result in the driver having his or her license suspended for 60-days and paying a $100 license reinstatement fee for the first offense. Subsequent offenses result in a longer suspension period, taking a Driver Attitudinal Retraining Course, as well as a reinstatement fee.

The teenager was most likely cited for the passenger violation, as well as operating to endanger, negligent operation, and reckless driving, which carries a license suspension of 180 days and a reinstatement fee of $500, for the first offense. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Obtaining a license is an important milestone for every teenager. While it is undoubtedly an exciting time for every young adult, there are also many risks posed to inexperienced drivers who are new to the roads. The state of Massachusetts has designated specific rules for newly licensed drivers. Provisions such as operating and passenger restrictions, cell phone restrictions, and driving curfews have been implemented in order to keep inexperienced drivers safe and to prevent accidents. Whether you are a young adult or the parent of a teenager, it is important to understand all aspects of the Junior Operator License Law. For information on the Junior Operator’s License Law, refer to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles website.

This particular case is complex as it involves personal injury, property damage, and criminal charges. The law office of Altman & Altman, LLP is a boutique law firm located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that specializes in all aspects of personal injury and criminal law. Whether you were the victim of a car or pedestrian accident and are in need of representation, you were cited for negligent operation of a motor vehicle, or were ticketed for any other type of traffic violation, the lawyers at Altman & Altman are here to assist you. Our team of seasoned personal injury and criminal defense attorneys has five decades of experience handling all types of personal injury cases including car and pedestrian accidents, as well as extensive knowledge in handling various types of criminal matters.

If you or a loved one was involved in a car or pedestrian accident, or if you are seeking legal counsel for a traffic violation, call one of the lawyers at Altman & Altman for a free and confidential initial consultation. Phones are answered around the clock, and our attorneys are always available to answer any questions you have about your case.