On Valentine’s Day, the community of Pembroke Pines was stunned by a car accident that resulted in multiple injuries and the death of an elderly woman. The vehicle at fault, driven by a teen, carried four high schoolers; the other car contained an elderly couple.
The wife died on impact and the husband is currently in a coma. The fatal crash has since sparked concern about road safety and speeding. The car was allegedly driving at 90mph down Dykes Road, an area with a speed limit of 45mph.
“Our students who are driving on the road must remember that driving is a privilege, not a right,” says Officer Bucknam, an SRO (Student Resource Officer) at PPCHS. “Teenage drivers, like all licensed drivers, need to be responsible and understand the dangers of reckless driving– not only to themselves but also to others who just want to get home safely.”
In light of the crash, many have suggested extending Pembroke Pines Charter High School’s DUI presentation to juniors. The event is usually offered strictly to seniors, but mandating the presentation for juniors getting their licenses could also be used as a preventative measure against speeding and crashes.
Arianna Bonilla, who attended the DUI presentation, says “I’ve definitely been more cautious of my surroundings and the people driving next to me [since the accident]. I’ve found myself driving more defensively and a lot safer, especially with passengers in the car with me.”
The senior was open to extending the driving safety presentation to juniors. “There were several things about being under the influence that I didn’t know. The information was really useful and insightful.” While it is not speculated that the driver was under the influence, it is important regardless that every teen driver knows the rules and dangers of the road.
Since the crash, residents of Towngate, the neighborhood next to the crash site, created a memorial for the life lost on Valentine’s Day. News trucks and reporters dotted the street for days, with a speed tracker and additional speed limit sign now placed at the curb. An electronic road sign has also been placed further up the road, saying, “Speed kills. Come home alive.”
As the Pembroke Pines community recovers from the shocking crash, the community hopes teens learn from it. Every time they step into their car, high schoolers around the city will think of the injuries and death resulting from unsafe driving, and, maybe, they will step off the gas.
