To a parent, there is no greater pain than losing a child to a tragic accident - except, perhaps, finding out that accident happened because an adult supplied your child's friends with alcohol.

Last week a North Carolina teen was killed in a drunk driving car accident under these very circumstances. The 17 year-old girl was a passenger in a car driven by her 16 year-old classmate. The driver - who was allegedly quite intoxicated - was driving approximately 45 mph above the speed limit when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a tree.

The girl's friends say she didn't realize how intoxicated the driver was until it was too late. In addition to being drunk, he was apparently also under the influence of marijuana.

The driver is facing seven criminal charges including felony death by motor vehicle, driving while intoxicated, marijuana possession and careless and reckless driving.

Parents Can Sue Adult Who Purchased Alcohol

Police are searching for the people that provided the teens with alcohol. If found, they could face criminal charges.

Many people don't realize that adults who purchase alcohol for minors can also be sued for wrongful death or personal injury in civil court if someone gets hurt.


In addition to the applicable criminal offenses, North Carolina's dram shop laws make it a civil offense for an adult over age 21 to provide alcohol to a minor or to allow minors to consume alcohol while under the adult's supervision. The law allows damages up to $500,000.

Of course, no amount of monetary compensation can bring a child back from the dead.

Hopefully, this accident will serve as a reminder to parents to talk to their children about the dangers of drunk driving. We all need to do our part to make sure our kids are safe.

Source: WRAL, "More Charges Possible in Raleigh Teen's Fatal Crash," Jan. 10, 2012.