BURN! What Did This 17-Year-Old Do to Have His Driver’s License Revoked for Life?

Posted by Kevin Farrell on Mar 5, 2012 in Crime | 49 comments

A Rhode Island judge says he imposed a lifetime driving ban on a 17-year-old boy after a serious car accident because he wanted to send a message about reckless driving.

Judge William Guglietta revoked Lyle Topa’s license for the rest of his life on Tuesday in connection with the Oct. 23 crash in Charlestown. Topa and three other Chariho High School students were injured when their car crashed into a tree. One passenger was in a coma for weeks. Topa was driving with a suspended license at the time of the accident, according to The Westerly Sun.

Yikes. Putting your pal in a coma? Yeah, that sounds about right.

What do YOU think? Does the punishment fit the crime?

(via CBS)

http://www.facebook.com/people/Chuck-Reeves/100000544463853 Chuck Reeves

it fits but a little extreme hes 17 and I remember when I was 17 I didnt always make the best driving decisions and honestly there are people who are getting their 3rd 4th DUI and still get their licenses back, it sucks for his friend and he already has to live with the knowledge of what he did that should be punishment enough.

http://www.facebook.com/LordArtemis Michael Artemis Harris

I would have to disagree with you. This person already had a suspended license and they cause a major accident which endangered the lives of others in the car. Just having his license taken away for life is nothing. This kid should go to jail for a long time. 17 or not he was old enough to know what he was doing when he did it and choose to do it anyway.

You are right though, there are others out there on their 4th or 5th DUI who can still drive and that’s crazy. More judges need to take a lesson form this guys book and punish these criminals more harshly.

Driving is a privilege not that should not be abused.

http://www.facebook.com/g.alex.fox Khai Fox

driving really isn’t a privilege. it’s a right. who told you that you had the right to tell other people what they could or could not do? whoever that is was lying. this person should’ve gotten 2 years of probation and a few months in juvi. nothing more.

http://twitter.com/SrtaCovarrubias D. N. Covarrubias

No, It’s a privilege that is routinely revoked when people break the law.
Anonymous

Driving a motor vehicle is NOT a right. It IS a privilege. One that, if you abuse, can have serious consequences. You do not have the right to drive a car if you cannot meet your states’ minimum requirements for having a license.

In my state, if you have uncontrolled seizures, you cannot obtain a driver’s license. That is one example. There are others and it varies from state to state. So… to say it’s a right, is an out right lie. Unless of course, you CHOOSE to not meet the minimum standards set to you by your state and decide to drive without a license or any of the other requirements.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Brian-Welch/100000808626684 Brian Welch

Wrong. Driving is not a right. It is a privilege earned by passing tests that show you are capable of obeying the laws and rules of the road. It is a privilege that can be revoked if you demonstrate your inability to follow said rules.

If you really think that nobody has the right to tell you when you can and can’t drive, then I’m willing to bet you’re driving with a suspended license right now—as a result of your excessive DUI convictions and moving violations.

You obviously don’t give a rat’s ass about anyone other than yourself. You have the mentality of a young teenager, desperately attempting to rebel against your parents because you don’t like being told what to do. Guess what? Part of being an adult is recognizing and obeying the laws that exist to keep all of us as safe as possible—from people like you. So do us all a favor and grow up, before you kill someone with your inconsiderate, self-righteous, me-first attitude.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=661364038 Ismael Rodriguez

Sorry, but driving is NOT a right. If it were a right the government would just hand out licenses without testing anyone. You have to earn that privilege, although there are plenty of people out there that seem as they just got their license from a box of cracker jacks.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1664732393 Jim Self

We don’t have the right to Khai, but a judge does, and this kid has proven he will not obey the law.
http://www.facebook.com/LordArtemis Michael Artemis Harris

Ummm…No… Driving is a privilege not a right. No where in the constitution or state law or even nature’s law does it say that when a person become a certain age they obtain a car and driving powers. This does not happen, because it is not so. Driving, like say, eating at a fine dinning restaurant, is a privilege. Not every one can afford it and not everyone needs to do it. In fact, no one needs to do it. You could take a bus or a cab or walk or ride a bike, You do NOT however have to drive. You may have the right to try and obtain a drivers license when you turn a certain age, but even that’s a privilege because it can easily be taken away from you, because there is no absolute need for a person to drive.

I don’t know where you got your logical reasoning from, but you might want to rethink your last statement.
http://www.facebook.com/emyre245 Eric Myre

I have to disagree with you on one point. I believe that driving a multi-ton death machine is a privilege. If it is a right then should every person, on their (insert age here) birthday get a driver’s license in the mail? Should we do away with licensing tests?

Now I agree with you that the kid should not have had his license revoked permanently and I think some time in Juvi would be appropriate because “adults” who drive on a suspended license can often end up in prison. But I think he would have to jump through some serious hoops to get his license back.

Well, thats my two cents anyway.
http://www.facebook.com/rabblesthebinx Brian Frang

He caused a serious accident that could have cost people their lives (One of them ended up in a coma), while on a suspended license (which, at 17 means he had ALREADY gotten in serious trouble driving), in my opinion, he should have been busted for attempted murder, He got off light.
http://www.facebook.com/ObdurateArchangel G Abel Murillo

umm…you’re an idiot. PLEASE do yourself a favor and READ about driving being a privilege and NOT a right…before you go insisting it’s a right and make youreself look like an idiot.

http://www.facebook.com/tmckarnen Travis McKarnen

So your solution to the problem is to send him to jail where he will learn nothing, cost the tax payers money, and come out of jail with no real skills to be a productive member of society? Good call.

http://www.facebook.com/LordArtemis Michael Artemis Harris

Many people go to jail and come out with a new appreciation for life. He is 17 years old. He has all the skills he needs. In jail he can get his GED hell he can even work on getting a degree…. >_> Not to mention when he gets out of jail he has every opportunity to be a productive member of society. He might never become the CEO of a major company but he can still be productive. And regardless of whether this one person is in jail or not, you will still have to pay taxes for the hundreds of thousands of others who are in jail, so don’t even try that bullshit. I think it is a great call. He committed a crime, he endangered other peoples lives doing so, he should go to jail. End of story. And he was illegally driving while doing so, so he should have that taken away for ever since he obviously doesn’t know how to use it properly.

http://www.facebook.com/amber.domingue Amber Domingue

I see where you are coming from but the kid’s license was already suspended at 17!! WTF. And people that are allowed to keep their licenses after 3 or 4 DUI’s are bc of state laws that are not harsh enough and usually bc they aren’t as hard on you if you were just pulled over and didn’t actually wreck or hurt anyone. In La it’s suspended the first time, if you work you can apply for a special license to drive to and from work. It all just depends.
http://www.facebook.com/amber.domingue Amber Domingue

I’m sure he’ll appeal or whatever and be able to drive by the time he’s 20, which might be how long he should wait to drive again anyway.
Derek Ray

I agree that there are certainly plenty of other people out there who don’t deserve to be getting their licenses back either, but that doesn’t mean that we should continue to ignore problems.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=655997575 Daniel Campbell

I am sure there will be some appeal process to shorten this (most likely with a very long probationary period after a very long sentence). He was a total scumbag for driving like this, he is lucky he did not get a manslaughter or homicide charge for killing someone. But a life sentence (even when you have had prior problems) at 17 is not common.

http://www.facebook.com/sandoris Ben Hager

He didn’t kill anyone, he hurt people and put someone in a coma for weeks. No deaths…. I think this is a little excessive myself, yes I think he should be punished and made aware of his mistake, and few years sure, but people change in time and I don’t think his license should be taken away for life, even when the judge is dead. I think there are plenty of other ways to deal with this then take away his license for life. What’s that do but punish the people around him?

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=655997575 Daniel Campbell

It only does one thing, ensure he does not become a full productive member of society. I believe in redemption in most cases… a life sentence for driving does nothing to benefit society. Make sure that he is punished and make sure after he is kept under close scrutiny… but life sentences does little to deter or little to counsel.

http://www.facebook.com/LordArtemis Michael Artemis Harris

How exactly does this stop him from becoming a fully productive member of society? There are MANY people out there who never owned a car and never will and they still have jobs, and live fully functioning lives. There is nothing here, stopping this guy from living a normal life, except without a car. He can catch a cab, carpool, take the bus, or ride a bike (which is better for his health and the environment). If anything it helps society, since this maniac isn’t on the rode anymore, and he will now be putting more money into the economy by buying bikes or bus passes, or what have you, which will help the world by causing less pollution even. If anything this is just a winning situation.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=509006973 Christopher Tollefson

Excessive in my opinion. This could seriously limit this kids economic mobility for the rest of his life. He’s young and deserves a serious punishment but this is the same kind of “lock ‘em up and throw away the key” mentality that makes our justice system so ridiculous. Don’t we want to help people rather than just scare everyone with absurd punishments?

http://www.facebook.com/DOLLjusputitonmeFACE Dollie Pelmore

Not when it take so many lives….. This so uncalled for it’s a decision and a privilege to drive not your right.

Emily

Nobody was killed (unless the one in the coma is now dead) – people who commit vehicular manslaughter serve jail time and are then allowed to drive again – why should this kid have to be the odd example to everyone his age? It impedes his ability to become a productive member of society (as jobs and school usually require transport, and there is not typically enough public transportation for people).

http://profile.yahoo.com/53QWWISISXVMW7FHEO2GMDNLXA Christopher

Sad story but I’m not really sure why this is being posted on this blog…Isn’t the primary focus of this blog supposed to focus on LGBT issues?
Anonymous

This is a ridiculous punishment. The kid should pay, with loss of freedom (some jail time) a major fine (that can’t be discharged) to the families he hurt, but this will destroy his life and his family for the rest of his life.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=537540982 Lexi Suarez

How will not being able to drive destroy his life and that of his family? Plenty of people live normal everyday lives without even owning a car. Will it be challenging, yes, but it won’t destroy him. Now I’m not saying I agree with the punishment either. It is excessive, and I think it goes far beyond what is needed to teach him a lesson.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Erica-Cook/100000628613592 Erica Cook

17 year olds don’t have a sense of what the consequences of their actions is going to be. Yes he should be punished but its dangerously nieve of the judge to think this will have any lasting change in how teens act.

http://www.facebook.com/LordArtemis Michael Artemis Harris

I’m going to have to disagree with you. I was 17 once with my drivers license and I never been drunk driving or in a accident or had my license suspended. And the reasoning of this, if for fear of punishments like that. Or death of myself or other people in the car. I’m only 20 now so that was so long ago, but still, I make good choices while driving, because I do have a good sense of the consequences. And at 17 this kid had to know that driving drunk was wrong and illegal and dangerous. He had to know that driving while having a suspended license was wrong and dangerous and illegal. He knew full well what the consequences were, he just ignored them and went on his merry way. And that’s why the punishment is fitting.

http://www.facebook.com/jazznbikes11 Jennifer Jazz Jasmin

I agree that they should be handing out this punishment for people with DUI’s, but yea, I think this fits.
http://www.facebook.com/emilylawson5 Emily Lawson

The punishment is too harsh.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1426982224 Melinda Otteson Gray

Until he’s 21 maybe. What happens when he is an adult and can’t get to work, provide for a family, etc. He should have to take drivers ed classes again, complete community service and be able to get his license at age 21 if he completes a driving course.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QCDKCCYTO77Q7NNUMASF6MAG6Q Frank P

I think the judge went overboard. I want to see the judge impose this kind of sentence on drunk drivers and road rage offenders. The kid didn’t kill anyone but the crime should fit the offense.
http://www.facebook.com/DOLLjusputitonmeFACE Dollie Pelmore

It wouldn’t be fair if his license wasn’t already suspended. At 17 and suspended already almost killed his FRIENDS…..it’s obvious that he is reckless and won’t be obeying the law. I bet this will not be the last time we hear about him. He should stay in prison if he’s not there.
http://twitter.com/MrLeon Mr. Léon

I’m just going to go ahead and point out the big, pink elephant in the room and ask: How is this relevant to the homo-incorporated UB news that we normally receive? I don’t contest the fact that it’s terrible what happened, but… What is the intention behind this seemingly random article of information?
http://www.facebook.com/mychael.gomez Mychael Gomez

How is this gay news?
http://www.facebook.com/people/David-R-Richardson/1523406339 David R Richardson

Sounds fair to me – he clearly shows poor judgement as an adult as already having a suspended license. Not being able to drive doesn’t ruin someone’s life – he still have two good feet – use them.
Derek Ray

Considering the boy’s license was already suspended at the time of the incident, I’d almost question whether or not this was enough. Sure, blame could partially be laid upon those riding with him (I’m assuming they did get in the car willingly), but only if he told them that he didn’t have a valid license.

As for it being a life-ruiner… Well, I’ll be the first to contest that. I had my license suspended in 2005 at the age of 17 (same as this kid), and I’ve managed to stay employed as well as attend grad school. Does it suck sometimes? Absolutely! (No one likes waiting for a bus when it’s snowing out.) But so does lying in a coma, or having to visit a child/sibling/friend who’s in a coma. I’m just glad that he didn’t hit anyone else.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001012886786 Chris Millet

As much as I believe that there are a lot of people who shouldn’t be on the road, there is no way that that decision will hold up on appeal. It was just for publicity. I’m sensing an upcoming election with the judge on the ballot.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000035047164 Gus Anderson

Yet people on their third Driving While Intoxicated arrest are still driving around town WITH a valid drivers license. Judge must be up for re-election.
Java Jones

No. The punishment does NOT fit the crime. He’s 17! Most 17 year old guys (and a lot of girls) do stupid stuff like that. There’s no excuse for what he did, and he should be punished. But LIFE LONG driving ban? No. I also think we’re not hearing the whole story.

http://www.facebook.com/LordArtemis Michael Artemis Harris

Why not a life long driving ban? He doesn’t need a car to live, their are buses and cabs and he could get a bike which is healthier and better for the environment, he could also carpool. He doesn’t need a car, and after what he did he doesn’t deserve one either.

http://www.facebook.com/justinfitzgerald1988 Justin Fitzgerald

I think it’s too extreme for a 17 year old.
http://www.MaleEroticEvolution.com Michael!

Yes, it is a tragic thing but to punish someone for the rest of their life for something they did as a teenage is very unfair. If that judge wants to send a message, that’s his stuff and the kid shouldn’t have to be his messenger.
http://profiles.google.com/sara.e.munoz Sara Munoz

In theory I like it; it should happen more often. BUT it’s a little extreme for someone so young. I would think 5-10 years would suffice.
http://www.facebook.com/kboyle49 Ken Boyle

i think its too much but something like 10 years should teach him lesson.
http://www.facebook.com/ObdurateArchangel G Abel Murillo

yourself*
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=576613362 Alex Cullen

Everybody makes mistakes. Banning someone from driving for life because of something stupid they did when they were 17 is obnoxious. I have a friend who got in a really bad accident and several people died. I promise you, she is now the SAFEST driver on the road when she does work up the courage to get behind the wheel. come on now. have some compassion for the kid. he put his friend in the hospital. that has to be tough for a 17 year old kid to deal with.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000155872736 Daniel J McEwen

I think a 17 year old thinks very differently from a 27 year old or a 47 year old. The choices a person might make in youth are not going to be the same. The sentence is really excessive.

Tags

BURN! What Did This 17-Year-Old Do to Have His Driver’s License Revoked for Life?

Pages

Tags

BURN! What Did This 17-Year-Old Do to Have His Driver’s License Revoked for Life?

Yo Categories

Pages