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« Lucky 13? Last night's 58-minute trip cut to 45 | Today | Update: Fire quickly contained in Providence apartment » November 7, 2007Update: Teen charged with reckless driving in fatal crashPROVIDENCE -- A Barrington teenager was accused in Family Court today of having drunk about six cans of beer and of driving twice the speed limit when he slammed a car into a tree on Monday night, killing a fellow Barrington High School student. As his parents looked on, the 16-year-old boy entered the courtroom in handcuffs, and after the cuffs were removed, a prosecutor provided the details supporting juvenile delinquency petitions, which charge him with refusing to submit to a chemical breath test and driving to endanger, death resulting. (An earlier version of this blog item incorrectly reported that latter charge.) The latter charge is also different from one spelled out yesterday in a press release about the crash from Barrington police, who had said the driver was being charged with driving under the influence, death resulting. The boy’s attorney, John M. Cicilline, entered denials on his behalf. Assistant Attorney General Susan Urso said the boy and four other teens decided to get some beer and hang out behind his father’s house after school Monday because there would be no school Tuesday, which was devoted to professional development for teachers. The teens pitched in money and had a 30-pack of beer delivered to the house, and then drank beer in the back yard, near a fire pit and a shed, Urso said. The teens were at the house between 6 and 9 or 9:30 p.m., before they drove to a Taco Bell in nearby Seekonk, Mass., she said. At about 10:50 p.m., the boy was at the wheel when the car came to a stop sign, he “squealed the tires or burned rubber” and took a right onto New Meadow Road, Urso said. The boy was “shimmying the wheel” and driving up to 60 mph in a 30 mph zone when he lost control of the car, which smashed into a tree, she said. The collision killed one of the passengers, Jon Converse, of 2 Old River Rd., Barrington, a junior at Barrington High. Read more about the accident from today's Journal story. See an obituary for Jon from the Barrington Times. The teen was released to home confinement in the custody of his mother, who lives in Warren. His parents are divorced. A pretrial date was set for Nov. 28. Citing recent other alcohol-related deaths of area teens, Chief Judge Jeremiah Jeremiah Jr. also seized the opportunity to lash out at parents who "don't take responsibility." While noting that his comments were not directed at the parents in the courtroom, because he did not know them, he did criticize those who may not provide their children with the "affection and communication they should. We have to stop this, and this is isn't a problem just in Barrington. This is a problem all over the state."
Posted by Jack Perry CommentsMolly | November 7, 2007 6:18 PM link Can we always blame the parents for such tragic losses. I have to blame society itself for these teenagers actions. There is so much violence in music and movies these days. These are just some of the things that get these kids going. Also you cannot be with your children twenty four seven. You can discipline your kids until they are blue in the face. Some listen and some don't. It is hard for the parents because if you discipline your children too much the law steps in. What happen to the old fashioned days? I was born and raised old fashioned and I do not regret it. My condolences go out to the Converse family and hope they can cope with the tragic loss of there son. John Grimo | November 8, 2007 5:26 AM link The accidents and death will continue until the meatheaded adults and teens of Barrington, RI begin to recognize that there really is a problem, which most definitely they do not. The absurdity of the problem in this town is amazing and embarrassing to everyone in Barrington, and Rhode Island. Paul W. | November 8, 2007 6:47 AM link There is a climate of drinking that has infused our 14-18 year olds. Ads glorifying drinking have infiltrated every televised sporting event. These advertisements show a environment of drinking that is fictional, where the young and beautiful drink high end brands and exotic drinks. The peer pressure is oppressive. Parents need to have the backbone to say no and provide enough supervision to prevent this from happing. I often hear of drinking parties that 15 year olds attend. They tell me because they see it as no big deal. If you didn't know your child was drinking would you want a neighbor or teacher to tell you? E May | November 8, 2007 8:13 AM link Honestly I just don't care anymore. Let them all kill themselves with drinking and driving too fast in their overpowered cars that mommy and daddy bought them. If the parents don't care (and it's pretty clear that they don't since these kids were drinking at the parent's house) why should we as a society? Greg | November 8, 2007 10:46 AM link Post a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006
Another tragic loss of young life. How the heck is beer delivered to someone's house? Is it just dropped off without seeing if there's someone legally old enough to purchase alcohol.
What is it about the rich Barrington kids who act so recklessly. Something about affluence, being on the water and alcohol.