Massachusetts

Driver May Face Additional Charges After Teen Thrown From Truck Doing Tricks

A 17-year-old Lowell boy suffered life-threatening injuries when he was thrown from a truck bed as a 19-year-old driver was doing donuts

A teenage driver may face additional charges after a 17-year-old was thrown from his pickup truck’s bed as he was doing tricks in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts parking lot.

Police are investigating after the victim suffered life-threatening injuries in the incident and was airlifted to a Boston hospital as a result.

A preliminary investigation determined the 19-year-old driver was doing donuts in the Smokin' Joe's parking lot on Wednesday night when the victim was thrown from the vehicle.

"It looks like he was attempting to do a donut and the vehicle kind of shook. It's got very thick tires I guess and it just caused the 17-year-old in the back to be immediately ejected," said Tyngsborough Police Chief Richard Howe.

The victim, who is from Lowell, was rushed to Lowell General Hospital before being taken by medical helicopter to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

The driver was cited and charged with operating an unregistered motor vehicle and operating to endanger. He may face additional charges, according to officials.

Police said they plan to alert the Registry of Motor Vehicles to let them know the driver is an immediate threat in hopes of having his license suspended.

"A very avoidable event. It should have never happened," said Howe. "I don’t know why the 17 year old was in the back of the vehicle but the operator has a responsibility for any passengers in that vehicle."

Police did not release the names of the driver and the victim. The relationship between the two is unclear.

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