Police Charge Family Members in Fatal Accident
A head-on collision in January killed four people on Route 50 after both drivers were found to be drunk, including a 19-year-old.
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Maryland State Police are charging two family members of a teen killed in the quadruple fatal accident on Route 50 last month with serving alcohol to minors, according to WJZ 13 in Baltimore.
On Jan. 28, four people died after a teenager who was found to be drunk drove several miles in the wrong direction on Route 50 and then struck another driver, who was also drunk, state police said.
The teenage driver, Brittany Ann Walker, 19, had two other teens in her car, Breanna Marie Franco and Zachary Tyler Rose. The other driver, Terry Wayne Davis, was 55, state police said.
Now, police say Franco’s mother and brother served alcohol to minors during a house party—a factor that may have contributed to the deadly accident, according to WJZ 13.
The article said the party took place in Severna Park the night of Jan. 28 at the home of Debby Franco, 44, and her son, Joshua Franco, 23.
The maximum penalty for the mother and son if found guilty would be a $500 fine, according to WJZ 13.
The Francos lawyer, David Fischer, told several news outlets that his clients are innocent of the charges.
Amy Leahy
1:47 pm on Thursday, March 8, 2012
Too many parents allow teens to drink in their homes without realizing that they could be liable if something happens. If the adults in this case are guilty of serving alcohol, probably their worst punishment has already been dealt…the death of a loved one.
Chet Brewer
9:22 pm on Friday, March 9, 2012
Amy absolutely concur, losing their youngster is the worst possible punishment.
DioDingo
8:48 am on Friday, March 9, 2012
What about the death of the loved on the other side of the accident. The innocent person who was killed when a drunk teen killed them. The parents should be responsible. If my child hits a rock through a neighbors car window then my home owners insurance pays for that, since the child is a minor and under my control. I would think insurance wont pick up this wrongful death since it happened during the commitment of a crime. Yes, the family lost a child to a sad event....that they caused. That's harsh, but its the reality of the situation. Where is the reciprocity for the Davis family? How does Mr. Davis mother feel after raising her child right only to have him killed by poor parenting and decision making.
Tee Vee
9:46 am on Friday, March 9, 2012
A $500 fine and that's it? Anyone who "allows" underage drinking in their home should be punished with more than a fine! I would never give alcohol to anyone who is even one day under 21. If my child were in that car, I would want that person to serve time in jail!
just a Granny
10:16 am on Friday, March 9, 2012
I agree with Tee. $500 is nothing!! maybe that amount for supplying alcohol to a minor in Your home but if that child kills someone while driving drunk after leaving the house it should be jail time
Steve S.
10:27 am on Friday, March 9, 2012
Tee, the $500 fine might not even happen, depending on how well the Francos are defended in court. Dio, ?????????? 55 year old Mr. Davis was also driving while intoxicated. Kinda difficult to expound on his mother's stellar parenting.
DioDingo
10:40 am on Friday, March 9, 2012
Sorry, I didn't see that he was also drunk. But atleast he was on the propper side of the road.
cynthia
11:15 am on Friday, March 9, 2012
I have heard many stories that parents are serving minors alcohol in their homes.
Some of the parents are even stupid enough to be in the pictures, drinking right along
with them. I don't believe the penalty is stiff enough.
Indiana Jacobs
9:17 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
First of all I'd like to say I was friends with the 3 teens who passed. Never know who might be reading your comments. If it were your loved one I bet youd feel differently. Not to mention, its never polite to speak poorly of the deceased. Now, haven't any of you realized or at least thought about the fact that the person who was supposedly having this party at their house was miles from home in the middle of the night driving HOME from a party... Make sense to you??
Michelle
5:05 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
For everyone that has responded to this horrible accident. The Franco's did NOT serve alcohol to any minors nor was there a party at their home. This was false information that the media reported....