Heather Willard / NewsBreak Denver / June 5, 2023
(Lone Tree, Colo.) The teen driver behind the wheel while passengers “car surfed,” leading to one juvenile passenger’s death now faces charges.
According to an arrest document from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, a male Asian juvenile is charged with felony reckless driving resulting in a vehicular homicide, felony reckless vehicular assault, and two misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment.
Due to Colorado laws, official agencies will not release the juvenile’s identity.
The charging document lists two victims, but their identities were redacted. One was likely the 16-year-old who died of injuries from a rollover accident on May 5 on Quarry Road, east of Finn Avenue. The sheriff’s office reported the crash to the public on May 30 after additional car surfing incidents in the county. The office reported witnesses saw passengers hanging out of the car’s windows before the crash.
“In the wake of this devastating incident, we feel compelled to raise awareness about the dangers of car surfing,” the agency stated in a release. “It is crucial to understand this activity is incredibly dangerous, and the consequences can be fatal.”
The DougCo sheriff’s office noted in its release at least five other reported incidents of car surfing during the weeks following. The thrill-seeking behavior is not new, but has become popular through social media.
The agency urges parents to speak to young drivers about the danger and also asks young drivers to speak up when they notice someone planning or participating in car surfing or any other dangerous stunts.
“Speak up and report it to the appropriate authorities or a trusted adult,” the release stated. “Never succumb to peer pressure or feel compelled to engage in dangerous activities for the sake of fitting in or seeking thrill.”
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