A late-night drive in Clearwater turned chaotic Tuesday when troopers say a 15-year-old behind the wheel of a Dodge Durango lost control, slammed into a home and came to rest on top of a parked car. The crash happened around 10 p.m. on South Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue near Hall Street. The teen was taken to a nearby hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening.
What troopers reported
According to WTSP, the Florida Highway Patrol says the Durango was headed north at a high rate of speed when the 15-year-old lost control near Hall Street. Troopers report the SUV left the roadway, hit multiple traffic-control devices and utility fixtures, then continued onto the property, where it crashed into the house and a parked vehicle.
Trooper-supplied photos published by the station show the Durango draped across the parked car with debris scattered across the yard, a scene that looks more like an action movie still than a neighborhood street on a Tuesday night.
Damage and injuries
As reported by WFTV, the 15-year-old driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment. No one inside the home or in the parked vehicle was reported hurt. Troopers told the station the crash is still under active investigation.
How Florida's teen driving rules work
Per the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, teens must hold a learner's license for at least 12 months and log 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night, before they can apply for a full Class E license at 16.
The agency notes that speeding and other moving violations are among the most common citations for teen drivers and that crashes involving teens tend to spike during the so-called "100 Deadly Days" of summer. Florida’s graduated-license system is designed to keep new drivers under closer supervision while they build experience behind the wheel.
Investigation continues
The Florida Highway Patrol is leading the investigation and has not released the teen's name. Troopers told WFTV they will update their report as more information becomes available.
WTSP also published a three-photo gallery featuring images provided by troopers from the crash scene.
