14-year-old driver with learner's permit crashes, 2 die
NEWTON, Iowa — A 14-year-old girl with a learner's permit was driving with her family Tuesday when she lost control and rolled their sport-utility vehicle on Interstate 80, resulting in the death of her mother and sister, Iowa state troopers said.
Passengers Sabrina Watkins, 39, and Nataija Watkins, 11, both of Des Moines, died when their 2003 GMC Envoy crashed around 12:30 p.m. CT near the Newton, Iowa, exit, about 35 miles east of Des Moines and rolled into a ditch, Sgt. Nathan Ludwig of the Iowa State Patrol said Wednesday.
Sabrina Watkins was the mother of the driver, and Nataija was the driver's sister.
Natajia, a sixth-grader, wasn't wearing her seat belt at the time of the crash, according to Ludwig's report.
Grief counselors were available at the school Wednesday and students’ families were provided a phone number for counseling assistance, according to Amanda Lewis, a Des Moines Public Schools district spokeswoman. A call to the school went unanswered.
Nataija's sister Natasha Watkins, 13, also was not wearing a seat belt but was only injured in the crash and taken to Iowa Methodist Medical Center, according to the report.
The ninth-grade driver, BryNeisha Watkins, 14, of Des Moines was taken by ambulance to Iowa Methodist Medical Center. The extent of both surviving sisters' injuries was unclear Wednesday night.
It's still unclear how BryNeisha lost control of the vehicle; she may have over-corrected while passing a semitrailer truck, Ludwig said. Texting is not considered a factor in the crash.
SUVs have a higher center of gravity than passenger cars and have a greater risk of rollover in single-vehicle crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Temperatures were in the upper 40s and no rain fell Tuesday, according to weather records.
It's unclear whether any charges will be filed, Ludwig said.
Members of the Watkins family were not able to be reached or chose not to comment for this story.
Before Wednesday's crash, BryNeisha had a clear driving record, said Melissa Spiegel, a spokeswoman for Iowa's Motor Vehicle Division. Her learner's permit had been issued in July.
Her mother had been cited in August for having a child in the car without a seat belt and speeding, Spiegel said. Iowa state law requires anyone younger than 18 to be wearing a seat belt while in a moving vehicle.
In Iowa, children can get an instructional permit at age 14 with their parent or guardian’s consent. They must pass a knowledge and vision test then they’re free to practice driving on any Iowa road.
But the young driver must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, approved instructor, family member 21 or older, or anyone who is 25 years old and has written permission from a parent or guardian. And if that licensed driver has restrictions on his or her license, those restrictions also apply to the driver with the learner's permit.
At age 16, Iowa drivers can qualify for an intermediate license and be able to drive without supervision between 5 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. and with a qualified adult in the early morning hours.
"I think it’s important to be careful when you’re instructing a new driver on how to drive," Spiegel said. "And it’s important to discuss with your teen driver about what to expect while operating the vehicle and to practice in the daytime in good weather. And of course, accidents can happen."
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