Investigators are still trying to determine what caused a crash that killed a 16-year-old Marietta High School student-athlete on Monday evening, September 18, in Marietta. According to a report from Fox5, 16-year-old Liv Teverino crashed into a tree around 5:30 p.m. on Burnt Hickory Road near Devonwood Trail. When emergency personnel arrived at the scene, they discovered the 2016 Volvo XC90 engulfed in flames and fire spreading to the surrounding area. Once they extinguished the fire, they found the high schooler inside the vehicle.
School officials described Teverino as a scholar, athlete, and community leader who was part of the MHS International Baccalaureate Programme, a member of the school’s state champion cross country team, a part of the Cobb Youth Leadership cohort. The investigation of the crash is being handled by the Marietta Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP).
As explained by the National Fire Protection Association, in a year’s time, there are more than 212,000 vehicle fires in the US, resulting in more than 550 deaths and around 1,500 injuries. Vehicle fires account for about 16 percent of all fires reported to local US fire departments and account for around 15 percent of all civilian fire deaths as well as 10 percent of civilian fire injuries. Only fires in one or two-family homes result in more fire-related deaths of civilians than vehicle fires. 21 percent of vehicle fire deaths involve victims between the ages of 15-24.
There are many causes of vehicle fires, and some are the result of product defects, road defects, and other forms of negligence that can make those who have been injured or the families of those killed eligible to receive compensation for the costs and psychological impacts of their injury or loss. An experienced car accident lawyer from Cambre & Associates can explore your legal options with you through a free case evaluation. Send us a message for more information.