A teen driver has been charged for his role in an auto accident that claimed the life of his passenger. On Wednesday, 17-year-old Clay Kelley was charged as an adult with aggravated driving under the influence. On October 24th, Kelley was operating a pickup truck with his passengers 17-year-old Isaiah Snowden, 18-year-old David Young, and another unidentified 17-year-old in Franklin County, Illinois. As the teens traveled southbound on Bessie Road, they approached a T that intersected with Akin Blacktop. Kelley failed to turn left or right and drove off the roadway crashing into a tree and a mobile home. Snowden was killed in the accident, and Kelley and the other two passengers fled the scene of the accident. They were later obtained, and Kelley is now facing felony charges. He pleaded not guilty to the Class 2 felony of driving under the influence and will return to court next month. Authorities are continuing to investigate the accident to identify the individuals who provided the teens with the alcohol.
While there are numerous causes of auto accidents, one of the most common causes is that of negligent driving. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is by far the most negligent form of reckless driving. Drivers are well educated and informed about the risks associated with DUI and continue to make the decision to commit the crime. Thousands of individuals are killed and injured in DUI accidents, and those responsible should be held accountable.
The experienced St. Louis DUI accident attorneys at Meyerkord & Kurth have over a century of combined legal experience. Our attorneys will fight to hold the at-fault driver accountable for your accident while working to recover the maximum compensation for your damages. Contact us today for a free no-obligation consultation.