NORTH PORT – The North Port Police is investigating a fatal crash that claimed the life of a 17-year-old teen and injured three others after the car they were in crashed into a nearby tree.
Josh Taylor, North Port Police Department spokesman, says the crash happened just after 2:30 a.m. Thursday morning. Taylor says a white Honda carrying four teens crashed in a rural part of North Port.
“We know that we have a 17-year-old driver who’s deceased,” said Taylor. “The other three individuals are also juveniles as young as 13 years-old.”
The crash happened near the intersection of Yorkshire St and Cassava Road. An area of North Port Taylor says is undeveloped.
“Well that area of town has dozens and dozens of undeveloped roads, there’s no power in that area so there’s no street lights,” said Taylor. “The fact is that it’s a very rural place with a lot of roads and it’s simply difficult to patrol 24/7.”
Taylor says the car the teens were driving at the time of the crash was recently reported stolen from Port Charlotte. Investigators say the 17-year old driver died as a result of his injuries, two teens had to be transported via bayflight to a nearby hospital.
“Love your kids, hug your kids, know where they’re at because you just never know what can happen,” said Taylor. “One bad decision, one turn of the wheel and life’s are ruined.”
Taylor says officers believe the 17-year-old may have been the driver of the stolen vehicle. The condition of the three teens injured in the crash is unknown at this time.
Officers are currently investigating the cause of the crash. We’ll be sure to provide you with updates as soon as they become available.
