Auto accidents claim the lives of more teenagers every year than any other cause of death. After spending over 10 years working with victims of serious Bellevue auto accidents and settling hundreds of Seattle personal injury cases I have seen far too many fatal teen accidents like the two that claimed two young lives last Friday.

February 4th two separate fatal auto accidents claimed the lives of two eastern Washington teens. Friday evening 16-year-old Wally Cornenout of Yakima was driving a Nissan Pathfinder East on Pumphouse Road near Toppenish, Washington when he lost control and rolled his vehicle several times. Though Cornenout was using his seat belt properly he was thrown out of the rolling vehicle and died on the scene. The cause of the accident is still unknown – whether drugs or alcohol were involved is currently under investigation.

Later that night another fatal accident occurred at the intersection of West Wapato Road and U.S. Highway 97. 14-year-old Shaniah Jackson was crossing the intersection along with a 16-year old boy as they went to a convenience store a short walk from her Wapato home for some bread. The two crossed the street against the signal and were struck by a hit-and-run driver shortly before reaching the other side. Jackson was killed in the collision and the 16-year-old was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Police discovered the Toyota Tacoma guilty of the hit-and-run a short ways down the road, and are currently investigating the accident.

Anyone with information on this hit-and-run accident is asked to contact the Washington State Patrol at 509-575-2320.

My condolences go out to the families and friends of both victims.

It is instances like these that make it really difficult for us, as parents, to let our children grow up- if your child will be driving soon make sure you visit our Parent Resources section for information on teaching a teen to drive, discussing drugs and alcohol with teens and much more.

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